Preps: Rancho Bernardo High’s McCord leads local All-CIF selections

By Michael Bower

It comes as no surprise that Rancho Bernardo High’s Jana McCord was named the All-CIF girls tennis Player of the Year.

McCord, who played her first season of high school tennis this year as a junior, was the CIF San Diego Section individual champion and nearly helped the Broncos defeat Torrey Pines for the first time in school history. McCord ran through the SDS tournament and the season with ease, not even coming close to losing a match.

Del Norte High’s Kylie Haviland and Yolanda Pham were also honored as All-CIF First Team selections. The two played singles all year, before teaming up to make an amazing run all the way to the SDS doubles championship match. They would have to settle for second place, but it was still an amazing season for the two juniors.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Poway girls volleyball player Becca Grant was selected to the All-CIF First Team.

The junior outside hitter helped guide the Titans to a 20-14 finish and a trip to the SDS Division I semifinals. Grant led the Titans in kills (420) and kill percentage (39.4) this season.

GIRLS GOLF

Del Norte High girls golfer Paris Griffith was an All-CIF Second Team selection. The junior finished in 11th place at the CIF San Diego Section tournament, qualifying for the Southern California Regional for the first time.

Griffith has been named the Valley League Player of the Year for two straight seasons.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Boys cross country runners Eric Hayen of Poway and Kevin Mihalik of Rancho Bernardo were named to the All-CIF First Team. Rancho Bernardo’s Dimitri Voytilla and Poway’s Chris Tansey were named to the All-CIF Second Team.

Hayen stunned everyone when he captured the CIF SDS championship. The senior had been recovering from an injury all season and saved his best performance for the section finals. Mihalik capped his cross country career with a solid 14th-place finish at the CIF State Championships.