| Lancaster High girls' volleyball setter Roxy Neely's speed and strength had first-year coach Beth Reid raving about the junior before the season began. The praise is spreading as others get a chance to see Neely play. She impressed again Saturday at the Arcadia tournament. "She did it all," La Canada coach Brock Turner said. "She could front set, back set, run the middle - we didn't know where she was going. In my opinion, she was the best setter I saw all day." The praise came despite La Canada's 25-10, 25-17 sweep of the Eagles and Lancaster's failure to make the eight-team tournament playoffs. Tight race: First place is on the line today when defending Golden League champion Quartz Hill (2-0 in league) plays at Highland (2-1). Highland, which finished third last season, is coming off a 25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 25-9 victory Tuesday over Antelope Valley. Littlerock remains a threat after handing Palmdale its first league loss Tuesday, 25-18, 21-25, 25-13 15-25, 15-6. "Basically, we have four strong teams we're competing with in league," Palmdale coach Colleen Nua said. "I expect it to be close." Palmdale plays host to Lancaster today. Up and comer: Palmdale returned six seniors from last year's second-place team, but the Falcons made room in the starting lineup for freshman Jennifer Brandon, who hasn't disappointed. "She's definitely one to watch," Nua said of the 6-foot-1 middle blocker. "She's still got some things to learn, but she's such a natural athlete." |