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Joy tabbed top volleyball coach in Class 2A By TIM PYLE James Joy's St. Mary's Volleyball program has established itself as among the state's elite . Never was that more evident than this fall, when Joy guided a team that featured only two seniors - neither with varsity experience - to a second consecutive third-place showing at the Class 2A state tournament. In his fifth season as head coach of the Crusaders, Joy did such an impressive coaching job that he has been named the Class 2A state coach of the year. "It's totally unexpected," said Joy, who was the Southern Cascade League coach of the year for the fifth straight season. "I think there are a lot of other coaches that did fantastic jobs around the state." SCL most valuable player Whitney Brookins of Cascade Christian was named to the six-player all-state first team. A 5-foot-10 setter, Brookins led the Challengers to the SCL co-championship with St. Mary's. "I thought her strength was her attitude that she was going to get to every ball," said Susan Gmur, the Cascade Christian head coach. "And her aggression; and her desire to work real hard and get better." Crusaders junior middle hitter Christina Vaninetti and Challengers senior outside hitter Krystal Holtz were named third-team all-state. St. Mary's sophomore outside hitter Chrissy Seus received honorable mention. Monroe senior Amber Opoien is the Class 2A player of the year, and Gervais senior Angela Burright, Santiam Christian senior Ashleigh Young, Gervais senior Holly Prinslow and Enterprise senior Ashley Anderson join Brookins and Opoien on the first team. Joy's honor is the first in his Crusaders tenure, which has included one second-place state finish, three third places and one loss in the quarterfinals. "I like the way the program's going," Joy said. "The kids are excited. And the younger kids get excited for coming out for the high school team." Joy lost second-team all-state performers Lani Brophy (a setter) and Kristen Zielony (an outside hitter) from his 2000 squad. With two returning starters, Joy was able to concoct a successful lineup by moving players into new roles and allowing the team time to gel. "We started out pretty shaky, and we just got better and better and better," Joy said. "We ended up playing our best ball of the year at state, which is what you want." Brookins, who is interested in playing college volleyball and has programs pursuing her, worked her way to stardom, according to Gmur. "As a sophomore, she wasn't the starting setter," said Gmur, whose teams have been co-captained by Brookins each of the last two falls. "She went to some camps and made huge strides through hard work and determination. "She definitely improved." Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.