Standouts lead Scripps Ranch to tournament title

Bryce Leatherwood is a throwback volleyball player.

One gets the impression that if she played in the pre-libero era, she would have been a six-rotation middle blocker.

Olivia Bryant is listed as an outside hitter, but is the type of right side who can take over a match.

By any name, the two Scripps Ranch High School captains are difference-makers.

Leatherwood and Bryant showed up often and showed out in the final set of the day, leading the Falcons to a 23-25, 25-14, 15-11 win over Otay Ranch in the championship of their own tournament Saturday.

“Fortunately, we have a very deep offense that when we’re on it’s hard to stop us,” Scripps Ranch coach Roni Greenwood-Hooper said. “We have Bryce, we have Olivia, we have Anissa (Cooper), we have all of these players that are able to step up when their time is called.”

Leatherwood had 10 kills, four blocks and an ace in the title match for the Falcons (16-5). Outside hitters Kristen White and Elyse Taschner made the all-tournament team along with MVP Bryant, who had seven kills in the final.

Otay Ranch (18-9) was represented on the all-tournament team by junior opposite Bella Velasco and senior outside hitter Paola Ortiz, who consistently put balls away in the tournament run. Ortiz had 10 kills for the Mustangs, who may have the hardest schedule in the county.

“Absolutely, there’s always room for growth,” Otay Ranch coach Nicole Carter said. “It’s good to see where weaknesses lie and where our strengths are as well. It just shows us that we can compete and hang in there with any team we want to. I like playing the harder teams because it challenges us and gets us better every single time.”

The Mustangs beat Santa Fe Christian in the semifinals after dropping University City (12-14) and Granite Hills (9-10) earlier in the day. SFC (10-7) had senior Blair Gardiner named to the all-tournament team.

Sage Creek (13-13) was the other semifinalist and was represented on the all-tournament team by freshman Addie Ta.

There have been a lot of times this season when Scripps Ranch has taken the court with seniors at every spot, including libero Bailie Bishop.

Saturday, when it mattered most, the ball often went to Leatherwood. Any time she was near a second ball that setter Abby Kludt or White passed, she stepped in and set a perfect ball to the pin.

“I just love playing volleyball, so whenever I get a chance to touch the ball, I go for it,” said Leatherwood, who is committed to Northeastern. “We have such a well-rounded team. Anyone can get a huge kill. We are all there to support each other and help each other.”

Tied 4-4 in the third set against Otay Ranch, Bryant, who is committed to Hampton, put the ball away on three consecutive plays on the right side.

“We preach all practice that we’re all great hitters, we’re all great passers, great defenders so whatever we do everyone does it well,” Bryant said. “Our team does a really good job of being well-rounded players, like utility players we used to say.”

Torrey Pines, Cathedral Catholic in Vegas

In Las Vegas, Torrey Pines and Cathedral Catholic competed in the Durango Fall Classic, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the nation.

Once again, the Falcons and Dons represented well. Torrey Pines (17-4) finished tied for fifth in the Gold Division after beating Assumption out of Kentucky, 25-18, 25-21. The Dons (9-5) finished tied for seventh in the Silver Division.