Everett volleyball
The senior outside hitter had 19 kills and 23 digs in a 3-0 victory over Jackson in a winner-to-state semifinal in the 4A District 1 tournament. She also had 15 kills, 19 digs and two service aces in a 3-0 victory over Snohomish in the championship match.
At 5 feet, 9 inches, Luatua doesn’t have the height usually associated with outside hitters, but she has the ability to go vertical.
“She can get vertical and she has power and control,” Everett coach Heather Burglund said. “She places the ball well.”
But what really sets Luatua apart from other outside hitters is her defense.
“She reads the other team and the ball well,” Burglund said. “We’re hoping to get her a full-ride (scholarship) as a back-court specialist.”
Burglund said Luatua spends more than half of her match time in the back row.
“She takes the ball from other girls only because she knows where the ball is going to go before they do,” Burglund said.
Luatua hasn’t had any college contacts yet, but Burglund said her exposure at state will help.
“Everybody comes out for that,” she said.
And Burglund thinks Luatua will impress the scouts.
“She’s very composed and mentally tough,” Burglund said. “She plays big.”
Other top volleyball performers: Ashley Kingma, Oak Harbor; Heidi McNeill, Oak Harbor; Stephanie Lau, Kamiak; Maggie Brewe, Meadowdale; Tara Cunningham, Mount Vernon; Cari Stainer, Snohomish County Christian; Kristy Croghan, Coupeville; Britney Carlson, Cedarcrest; Shannon Rohr, Cedarcrest.
Football player of the week: Andrew Prebezac, Edmonds-Woodway.
Other top football performers: Jeff Ball, Edmonds-Woodway; Andrew Skorney, Everett; Justin Ehling, Everett; Richie Tri, Jackson; Jake Gelakoska, Jackson; Jon Rockstad, Stanwood; Dan Raymond, Oak Harbor; Kenny Gunter, Arlington; Jeff Donaldson, Monroe; Tim Berry, Monroe; Ricky Bargreen, Lake Stevens; Johnny Schneider, Lake Stevens; Jesse Hoffman, Shorecrest; Devon Bryant, King’s; Michael Lodell, South Whidbey; Craig Duncan, Archbishop Murphy; J.J. Marti, Coupeville.
Girls soccer player of the week: Kerstin Torrescano, Mountlake Terrace.
Other top girls soccer performers: Kelsey Lundberg, Cascade; Jenny Gudmundson, Snohomish; Dani Oster, Jackson; Dee Wood, Jackson; Jessica Duty, Meadowdale; Jamie Coe, Cedarcrest; Kat Taylor, Archbishop Murphy; Nicole Brekkaa, Snohomish County Christian.
Boys soccer player of the week: Geoff Jacobs, Shoreline Christian.
Boys cross country athlete of the week: Kelly Spady, Kamiak.
Other top boys cross country performers: Tyler Rapp, Lakewood.
Girls cross country athlete of the week: Amanda Stopa, Snohomish.
Other top girls cross country performers: Caitlin Ramirez, Cedarcrest; Melody Miles, King’s.
Girls swimming athlete of the week: Rikka Brunner, Kamiak.
Boys tennis player of the week: Mike Reading, Jackson.
Other top boys tennis performers: Nomar Mapalo and Aaron Lee, Shorewood.
John McDonald, Prep Editor
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