By The Leader Staff

Lemoore High's volleyball star Liz Schalde was named the West Yosemite League's Most Valuable player.
Lemoore High's volleyball star Liz Schalde was named the West Yosemite League's Most Valuable player.
Photo By Bill Burris
Lemoore High School’s varsity volleyball team, led by the West Yosemite League Most Valuable Player Liz Schalde, the Tigers’ senior setter, completed an impressive 22-7 campaign, including an 8-2 mark in league play. Lemoore’s talented team dropped a pair of games in league play, a regular-season loss to Hanford, and a 3-2 loss to Dinuba High School. The Tigers also fell to Bakersfield Christian 3-0 in the first round of the Valley Playoffs.

Schalde, the team’s senior setter, was a standout player for a Tiger team that won 22 games and challenged for the WYL title, eventually splitting wins with Dinuba High School.

Schalde, in addition to performing on the hard court, is an exceptional student as well, earning a 3.96 GPA and excelling in four Advanced Placement (AP) classes. She currently plays volleyball for Triumph Volleyball Academy out of Madera. She plans to continue playing volleyball at the college level.

Joining Schalde on the First Team: Raigan Gipson, senior outside hitter, and defensive specialist, Ava Cunningham, the team’s senior middle hitter, and Clarisel Lopez, senior libero.

Second team members from Lemoore included Jaida Mello, the Tigers' right-side hitter, and Jaylee Souza, the Tigers’ senior middle hitter. Honorable Mention status went to Katelyn Costa, the team’s defensive specialist.

Tigers' volleyball standout, Liz Schalde, earns league MVP and joined by first teamers Raigan Gipson, Ava Cunningham, Clarisel Lopez