Blocker has eyes on state

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 | midnight

Green Valley High senior middle blocker Sydney Brozovich is tired of losing to Silverado's girls volleyball team.

The Southeast Division rival Skyhawks have eliminated the Gators from the Sunrise Regional tournament the last three years.

That's a trend Brozovich wants to see end this fall during her senior year.

"We have a strong team this year. We're going to regionals, then state," said Brozovich, a four-year varsity performer.

She led Green Valley with 44 blocks, was second in kills with 188 and was also among the team leaders in aces with 42 last year.

During the offseason, she plays volleyball for TCA, a club team in Southern California.

"Her offseason training has made her a versatile all-around player, able to be utilized in both front and back row situations," Green Valley coach Erin Hill said.

While Brozovich is usually one of the tallest girls on the court at 6-foot-3, she's rarely been one of the older players. In 2003, she was the only sixth grader on her club volleyball team, Nevada Jrs Girls 14-blue playing alongside seventh and eighth graders.

Now, she's coming into a leadership role.

"A lot of us are at the same level, because we play club, but yeah, there is a difference for me now, because I feel I need to be that leader," Brozovich said.

Seven Gators return from last year's playoff team, including junior outside hitter Siga Appelgate, a three-year starter who led the team with 194 kills in 2007.

She said having a number of players coming back has already made the Gators a stronger team.

"We know each other's tendencies on the court. You know what's going to happen out there," Appelgate said.

Green Valley will be a fairly young squad with just six seniors on the 15-player roster, including five sophomores.

"The kids who are back are very well prepared. Playing Silverado and Durango at the end of last season, really motivated them, because those were the two teams in the championship and we were right there with them," Hill said.

One of the leading underclassmen is sophomore setter Jenna Chavez, who started as a freshman and recorded 583 assists.

"(Chavez) did a wonderful job as a freshman. She had a great off season and is back stronger — both physically and mentally," Hill said.

Brent Hinckley is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2687 or [email protected].