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Morgan tops list as Ashland rules SOC volleyball all-stars MT file photo Chelsea Morgan had the Grizzlies flying high. By GREG STILES The Ashland High volleyball team played likely a finely crafted watch this season, performing its task with precision. At the heart of it all was 5-foot-8 senior setter Chelsea Morgan. The gifted four-year starter's contributions were recognized by the Southern Oregon Conference coaches, who unanimously selected Morgan Player of the Year. Morgan is the first setter in memory to earn the distinction. "She's one of those kids who instills confidence in the others she's playing with,"says Crater coach Leaf Jensen. "She can carry the confidence for a whole team. Some kids need that leadership and she's a natural leader; she always exudes confidence." Morgan realizes it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. "The thing about volleyball is that everyone looks for the big kill," Morgan says. "Sometimes setters and passers get left out." Morgan joins Klamath Union senior middle blocker Kristina Matchett as a three-time first-team selection on this year's SOC dream team. Rounding out the first-team are: Ashland senior outside hitter Loriana Berman, Ashland senior middle blocker Amy Williams, Roseburg junior outside hitter Megan Morley, South Medford senior outside hitter Crystal Peterson; North Medford junior middle blocker Kendra Mitchell and Roseburg senior setter Julie Dancer. Ashland's Berman was the only other repeat first-team pick. The Grizzlies had three more players -- senior outside hitter Chelsea Johnson, senior middle blocker Rachel Karlin and defensive specialist Carrie Manning -- gain second-team honors, while Ashland coach Josh Rohlfing was coach of the year. Jensen was Ashland's freshman coach when Morgan entered high school. "I did the best I could to convince (former Ashland coach) John Weston that she wasn't ready for varsity and that he should leave her on the junior varsity for that year," says Jensen, Ashland's JV coach that year. "She was easily the second-best setter in the whole program at the time." Morgan's interest in athletics was piqued watching her parents -- Larry and Nancy -- playing in open gyms. Morgan lived for extended periods in China and Costa Rica while her parents taught English. While in Costa Rica, Morgan competed with older girls. When she returned to Ashland as a sixth-grader, she hung out with her mom's middle school teams. "When I was in the sixth grade, my mom let me practice with her seventh-grade team," Morgan says. "From then on I've been playing." As a seventh-grader, Morgan found herself thrust in the setting role. "Everyone was trying out for different positions and the setter spot clicked for me," Morgan recalls. "In middle school, Loriana, Carrie (Manning) and I were all setters. We all kept growing together and they just grew into other positions." The advent of club volleyball in the region expanded her horizons and set the stage for long varsity career. "I made varsity as a freshman -- I probably learned the most that year," Morgan says. "I was in shock most of the year, I didn't think I had that much talent. Ashland had been a powerhouse so long." Four years later, she's not sure what the future holds. Morgan is also a four-year basketball starter. She earned first-team all-star honors last year as the Grizzlies won their first SOC championship. "I think volleyball takes more skill than basketball, so in that way I'm a better volleyball player. If the pass isn't on the net, you still try to make it a hittable ball for the hitters." She's not sure whether basketball or volleyball will take precedence when she goes to college. But Morgan would find it difficult to walk away from volleyball at this point in her life. "Volleyball has been a huge influence in my life, so I would love to continue playing. There would be a void in my life if I couldn't continue playing." 99' SOC volleyball all-stars First Team HITTERS Player, School pos. Loriana Berman, Ashland, Sr. 5-10 Amy Williams, Ashland, Sr. 5-10 Kristina Matchett, Klamath Union, Sr. 5-10 Megan Morley, Roseburg, Jr. 5-11 Crystal Peterson, South Medford, Sr. 5-9 Kendra Mitchell, North Medford, Sr. 5-9 SETTERS/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS Chelsea Morgan, Ashland 5-8 Julie Dancer, Roseburg 5-7 Second Team HITTERS Player, School pos. Jill Carrigan, North Medford, Jr. 5-8 Chelsea Johnson, Ashland, Sr. 5-8 Kaylene Munson, Klamath Union, Jr. 5- 11 Crystal Galedrige, Crater, Jr. 5- 11 Rachel Karlin, Ashland, Sr. 5-9 Shannon Burmeister, Roseburg, Soph. 6-0 SETTERS/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS Carrie Manning, Ashland, Sr. 5-3 Kaci Maldonado, North Medford, Jr. 5-7 HONORABLE MENTION HITTERS : Christinia Pierce, Grants Pass, Sr.; Kari Gerretsen, Roseburg, Sr.; Misty Bernhardt, Eagle Point, Sr.; Gabby Rathburn, Grants Pass, Sr.; Brandi Hall, Crater, Soph. SETTERS/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS : Reshaun Lewis, Grants Pass, Sr.; Megan Barry, South Medford, Jr; Jennifer Brennan, Klamath Union, Sr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Chelsea Morgan, Ashland COACH OF THE YEAR -- Josh Rohlfing, Ashland PLAYERS OF THE YEAR 1999 -- Chelsea Morgan, Ashland 1998 -- Ali Mostue, North Medford 1997 -- Sarah Wolf, Roseburg 1996 -- Joslynn Gallop, Roseburg 1995 -- Tosha Barnicoat, North Medford 1994 -- Tristen Voget, Ashland 1993 -- Shannon Offutt, North Medford 1992 -- Bonni Ruggles, Ashland 1991 -- Angie LeRoy, North Medford 1990 -- Emily Coleman, Ashland 1989 -- Erica Reins, Ashland 1988 -- Leslie Jackson, Ashland and Khris Looney, Crater 1987 -- Casie Harker, North Medford 1986 -- Julie Grossen, Roseburg Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.