Position: Outside hitter Height: 5’8″ Class: 2010 School: USC commit

Natalie Hagglund is a standout outside hitter for the No. 2 ranked La Costa Canyon Mavericks. Hagglund played a huge part in the team’s defeat of No. 1 ranked Torrey Pines this week. All hopes for redemption by Torrey Pines were quickly dashed as the Mavericks, lead by Hagglund were defeated in 3 matches. Hagglund had a team high 10 kills for the La Costa Canyon.

The Mavericks are the six time defending section champions, and have defeated Torrey Pines in ten consecutive meetings, but with Torrey Pines ranked No. 1 this year, it was though this may be their year to reverse that. Hagglund and the Mavericks thought different, “I think we’re better than they thought,” said Hagglund told the NC Times. “That first game took all their momentum away in an instant. They’ve been waiting almost a year to get us again in their gym.”

Natalie Hagglund was also the sole nominee from La Costa Canyon to the All Tournament Team at the California Challenge, where the Mavericks finished in 5^th place.

Learn more about Natatlie at her SportsForce profile.

Full match write up at North County Times

The most elite high school girl’s volleyball tournament in the country happens this week in San Diego, CA. SportsForce was at the California Challenge last year and was able to get some great video footage of the championship game which featured La Costa Canyon vs. Mira Costa. Check out the video below to see some of the action.

The 2009 California Challenge will host top teams and players from top ranked high school programs throughout California. There will be 10 teams competing in this year’s tournament that are listed among the top 100 teams in the country (ranked by prepvolleyball.com). Even more impressively, six teams attending the tournament are listed among the top 50 including Dos Pueblos, Santa Barbara, Marymount, Mira Costa, Long Beach Wilson, and Redondo Union.

The California Challenge affords top teams the chance to match up and prove their dominance early in the season. Many of these have been known to meet again in section and state playoffs.

The following programs are represented in this years tournament; Bishops, Mira Costa, Canyon Crest Academy, Mission Viejo, Cathedral Catholic HS, Notre Dame Academy, Clovis West, Poway, Dos Pueblos, Redondo Union, Francis Parker, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, Santa Barbara, La Costa Canyon, Santa Margarita, Laguna Beach, Scripps Ranch, La Jolla Country Day, Tesoro, Long Beach Wilson, Torrey Pines, Marymount and Vista Murrieta.

SportsForce will attend the California Challenge this year and continue to feature some of the country’s top girl’s volleyball talent.

Visit our Girls Volleyball Section to see highlight videos of top ranked players, top tournaments, news and more.

Lauren Birks is the XX1090 Student Athlete of the Week and a stand out outside hitter for the La Jolla Country Day Girls Volleyball team. Head Coach Peter Ogle had nothing but praise for the 6’0” class of 2011 powerhouse.

Coach Peter Ogle says, “Lauren is a very special talent, explosive and quick. She is currently getting recruited by many of the larger college programs around the country.”

“Off the court Lauren is a very good student and has a great sense of humor and likes to have fun.”

Off the court La Jolla Country Day faculty has commented that “Lauren is such a mature young lady and very nice to be around.”

La Jolla Country Day is enjoying an undefeated season so far with Lauren leading the team in kills and aces and is being actively recruited by numerous top college programs around the country. She was also recently named Scripps Ranch High School Tournament MVP.

This summer has been full of nothing short of amazing volleyball. Both Boys and Girls wrapped up the Junior Olympic National Championships recently with intense competition from top teams around the country. The JO’s serve a great showcase for many of the top teams and players to hundreds of college coaches from around the country. It gives college coaches a tremendous opportunity to see top caliber competition and players ability can perform under press.

Congratulations to the Nebraska Juniors 18-1 in the Girls 18 Open Division for winning their way to 18 Open Gold Division Champions. Also congratulation is in order for AVA TX 18 Performance as the Girls 18 National Gold Division Champions.

On the Boys end 18s Orange in the Boys 18- Club division and Riptides OC 18 Asics in the Boys 18-Open division won JO National Championships.

The summer isn’t complete without hundreds of various prospect camps and instructional camps that are held throughout the country. Often college programs host summer prospect style camps to build direct relationships with players and for student-athletes to showcase their skills in front of schools they are interested in. Also top caliber coaches and former and current college players put on their own instructional camps for aspiring players to learn and improve their all-around skill level and approach to the game.

As the high school season approaches we wanted to rewind the clock and remind you who were the top teams from last high school season. ESPN FAB 50 rankings named Archbishop Mitty High School #1 for girls volleyball and Mira Costa High School as #1 for boys volleyball. Can both these teams keep their title in the upcoming seasons? It will be tough competition.

FAB 50 Final Rankings

Girls: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/highschoolvolleyball/0-5-10/ESPN-RISE-FAB-50.html

Boys: http://proxy.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/fab50?sportId=10020070&seasonType=1

Finally the high school girls volleyball season will be taking off in less than a month and it will be exciting to who emerge as the top players and teams to watch.