PARACLETE WAS AREA'S BEST HUPP, NOVELLI HELPED VOLLEYBALL TEAM WIN LEAGUE TITLE.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

A look at the Antelope Valley prep volleyball season:

--Team of the Year: Paraclete.

Led by seniors Angela Hupp and Jenna Novelli, the young Spirits repeated as Alpha League champions and were regulars in the Southern Section Div. IV-AA rankings. And they didn't just beat up on small-school competition, Paraclete warmed up for league by defeating Golden League schools Quartz Hill, Highland and Palmdale.

The Spirits almost completed the regular season undefeated, not losing a match-play contest until Oct. 27, when L.A. Baptist of North Hills pulled out a five-game victory.

Paraclete was eliminated in the second round of playoffs by Frontier League champion Oaks Christian of Westlake Village.

--Player of the Year: Angela Hupp, Paraclete.

Hupp has been among the region's elite players since she was a freshman, but the Cal State Northridge-bound middle blocker/setter was particularly valuable this season. As one of two seniors on a team with five sophomores and a freshman, Hupp embraced the job of team leader and role model. According to Paraclete coach Margaret Neill, whatever the Spirits needed, Hupp provided.

--Coach of the Year: Larry Vocke, Quartz Hill.

Early in the season, the Rebels were playing like a team struggling to replace several departed starters. By the end of the season, they were playing like champions. Vocke guided the young Rebels to a second consecutive Golden League title and a 14-6 overall record. Quartz Hill won 11 straight matches before its winning streak was snapped by Foothill League champion Valencia in the second round of the Div. I-AA playoffs.

--Biggest surprise: Littlerock.

A team that didn't reach the playoffs a year earlier entered the final day of the regular season contending for the Golden League title. Although the Lobos didn't beat Quartz Hill in the finale, taking the red-hot Rebels to four games was an accomplishment.

Littlerock's success came with a young roster of only nine players, including three sophomores and two freshmen.

Seniors Samantha Bull, and Brittany Sousa anchored the lineup.

Littlerock lost in the first round of the Div. II-AA playoffs to Simi Valley.

--Biggest disappointment: Highland.

The Bulldogs started strong in league competition and were the Golden League's only team to beat Quartz Hill - but they were slowed by several injuries. Highland (9-6) went from title contender to third place, then were swept out of the Div. I-AA playoffs in the first round by El Rancho of Pico Rivera.

--Looking ahead: Quartz Hill will miss senior standouts Tara Henn and Kayla Cherland, but the Rebels are used to adapting and will remain a threat. Sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Hamilton is one of Quartz Hill's up-and-coming players, and she could emerge as one of the league's stars.

With so many potential returning players, Littlerock appears an early favorite for the 2006 Golden League title.

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Paraclete High senior Angela Hupp provided leadership and was a solid role model for the young players.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer