Published December 25, 2008
By Langston Wertz Jr.
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte Latin volleyball coach Suzie Pignetti, the 2008 Observer volleyball coach of the year, is impressed with how well Hawks senior Liza Price, the Observer player of the year, dealt with playing out of position.
When Jenny O'Brien, star of the 2007 team, graduated and took a scholarship to George Washington, Pignetti didn't have anyone to replace her. So Pignetti moved Price from setter to outside hitter.
So, instead of setting everybody else up, Price became a primary scorer.
And she did it well.
Price had 423 kills (4.4 per game), 89 service aces, 495 digs and 33 blocks. Latin finished 25-2 and won the N.C. Independent Schools championship for the fifth straight year. Price will choose between Washington and Lee, and Rollins, for college.
In her high school career, Price played on teams that finished 97-3. Pignetti's past five teams have gone 123-4.
“Liza is probably mature beyond her years,” Pignetti said. “She's always played on older teams. She came from the Chicago area in the seventh grade from a highly touted club there, Sports Performance. She had learned all the skills, and her fundamentals were already sound. Combine that with her drive and competitiveness, and she's got the whole package.”
Today's awards signify Price and Pignetti as the top player and coach in the Observer's 110-school coverage area in North and South Carolina. They are also the All-Mecklenburg player and coach of the year, signifying them as the best in the Charlotte area.
The All-Area player and coach of the year, the best in areas outside of Charlotte, both come from North Iredell. Coach Natalie Tribble led North to a 26-0 record and an N.C. 3A championship. Molly Rhyne, a senior hitter, had 340 kills, 222 digs and 64 blocks.
Volleyball
All-Observer
Liza Price, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: Had 495 digs, 423 kills, 89 aces and 33 blocks playing out of position. She's a natural hitter who led Latin to a fifth straight state title.
All-Mecklenburg
Liza Price, Charlotte Latin
All-Mecklenburg Second Team
Blair Carson, Charlotte Latin, Jr.; Delaney Dalton, Charlotte Latin, So.
Mecklenburg player of the year: Liza Price, Charlotte Latin
Mecklenburg coach of the year: Suzie Pignetti, Charlotte Latin
Girls' Tennis
All-Mecklenburg Second Team
Amanda Domitrovich
To view online, go to www.charlotteobserver.com.