2012 All-Area Volleyball Team: Jasmine Burton tops L.A. Daily News picks

Player of the Year: JASMINE BURTON, Louisville, Sr.

Possessing exceptional athleticism and potential from the first time she stepped on the court for the Royals, Burton finally meshed that versatility and promise with improved leadership to guide Louisville to a share of its first Mission League championship in a quarter of a century. | MORE PREPS | GALLERY: All-Area Athletes
Burton, a 5-foot-10 left-handed attacker, shared league MVP honors with Notre Dame's Zana Muno and Harvard-Westlake's Jo Kremer, but was the only athlete among the trio to earn Southern Section Div. I-A first-team recognition.
Balancing responsibilities as a right-side hitter and setter, the Virginia-bound Burton had 580 kills and 519 assists for Louisville, teaming with Brianna Montgomery, Marissa Biernat and Kim Alanya to rally for a pair of five-game victories in league in order to capture a share of the title with Harvard-Westlake.
Burton had 25 kills and 16 assists in another five-game victory over West Ranch in the first round of the Div. I-A playoffs, before Louisville fell in the second round to Laguna Beach.

FIRST TEAM

KATIE BAKER, Hart, Sr.: Only two local liberos received All-Southern Section honors in their respective division and Baker did so in Div. I-A, where there were four defensive standouts recognized. Baker, an All-Foothill League first-team selection, helped Hart secure easy points with her serve and allowed the Indians to prevail in long rallies because of her defensive prowess, averaging more than 20 digs per match in league.
KENDALL FRISOLI, Thousand Oaks, Sr.: Her leadership and consistency enabled the Lancers to win all 42 Marmonte League matches and three championships during her varsity career. Frisoli will likely make the transition to libero at UC Davis, but Thousand Oaks' outside hitter had 307 kills, 230 digs, 22 aces and 21 blocks to secure league MVP and Div. I-A first-team recognition.
ASHLEY GUTHRIE, Saugus, Sr.: Despite the graduation of Jaclyn Clark, Sarah Blomgren and Ashley Pagan, Guthrie still teamed with Hannah Nua to lead the Centurions to the Div. I-A playoffs. The Foothill League first-team setter had 838 assists, 215 digs, 56 aces and 57 blocks, to go along with a career-high 97 kills. Guthrie finished her four-year career with more than 3,500 assists.
DELANEY KNUDSEN, Valencia, Sr.: Although she'll be playing beach volleyball at Pepperdine, Knudsen's final act indoors for the Vikings was a memorable one. The Foothill League MVP and Div. I-A first-team selection, Knudsen helped Valencia capture its 10th league championship in 11 seasons. Knudsen had 361 kills, 292 digs, 219 assists and 16 aces, lifting the Vikings to nine straight victories in deciding games, four at the Redondo Power Classic.
SHELBY LIVINGSTONE, Oaks Christian, Jr.: The Tri-Valley League MVP helped the Lions capture back-to-back championships and reach the playoff quarterfinals, producing 122 digs, 77 blocks and a career-high 410 kills, more than double her total from last season and the most kills by an Oaks Christian hitter since Julie Rubenstein in 2004. Livingstone, an all-tournament selection at the Redondo Power Classic, earned Div. II-AA first-team honors.
JULIA MANNISTO, Westlake, Jr.: Already the Warriors' career kill leader with 1,053, Mannisto broke her own program record with 428 kills this season, in addition to recording 293 digs, 56 aces and 26 blocks. Mannisto, an All-Marmonte League first-team selection, helped Westlake reach the second round of the Div. I-A playoffs. Her clutch play allowed the Warriors to win seven of eight matches that extended to a deciding game.
ZANA MUNO, Notre Dame, Soph.: Following nine tournament victories playing beach volleyball during the summer, Muno shared Mission League MVP honors with Louisville's Jasmine Burton and Harvard-Westlake's Jo Kremer. Although Notre Dame tied for third in league, Muno had more than 300 kills and 200 digs, helping the Knights prevail in a Div. I-A wild-card match before falling to top-seed St. Lucy's.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

SELBY SCHNOBRICH, Village Christian, Fr.: The future is bright for the Crusaders with Schnobrich as their setter and fellow ninth-grader Ally Reyes as a go-to hitter. Schnobrich led all freshmen in the area with 751 assists -- with Reyes collecting 201 kills -- in addition to 138 digs, 60 kills, 40 digs and 31 aces. The daughter of Village Christian coach Bill Schnobrich helped guide the Crusaders to a pair of tournament titles at Monte Vista and Burbank.

COACH OF THE YEAR

TIM BERGERON, Eagle Rock: In less than three weeks, the junior-heavy Eagles went from being swept by Verdugo Hills to celebrating a City Section Div. III championship. Bergeron, also the City Div. III coach of the year, relied on the lessons learned from Eagle Rock's loss to the Dons in the Oct. 29 regular-season finale and the efforts of City Div. III player of the year Hannah Yi to sweep Verdugo Hills in the Nov. 17 rematch, securing the program's first section title and a berth in the Div. III state playoffs.