Three earn all-league volleyball honors

By Joe Naiman

Three members of Ramona High School’s girls volleyball team earned all-league honors for 2011.

The Palomar League coaches selected Mikayla Derochie to the second team while conferring honorable mention status upon Nicole Darrough and Alexis Sharpe.

The Bulldogs’ representation on the all-league teams was limited by Ramona’s last-place finish in Palomar League play, but the opposing coaches took note of Ramona’s opponents.

Derochie was Ramona’s starting setter.

“It’s very appropriate that she would be named to one of the all-league teams,” said Coach Connie Halfaker. “Even though it’s a very competitive league, she still has definitely earned that distinction. She is one of the premier setters in the county.”

Derochie is a junior and was also on last year’s Bulldog varsity team.

“She definitely earned it, and she deserves it,” Halfaker said of Derochie’s second-team recognition. “She is that caliber of player.”

Darrough, a senior, was Ramona’s libero this year after spending 2010 on the varsity as a defensive specialist and backup opposite hitter.

“She was brand new at the position,” Halfaker said. “The progress that she made throughout the season was just really remarkable.”

Sharpe, a senior, was one of Ramona’s middle blockers.

“She finished really strong, especially in our playoff match,” Halfaker said. “She progressed all the way along.”

A first-round playoff loss to West Hills gave Ramona a final 10-19 season record.

The Bulldogs were winless in their 10 Palomar League matches.