Turning Into Titans Two Volleyball Players’ Transfer From CV To U-Hi Gives A Boost To Titans And Motivation To Bears

Thursday night’s volleyball match between University and Central Valley added another dimension to the long-time rivalry.

Titan players Angel Whalen and Kristina McAuley competed against their former CV teammates.

McAuley said she hoped there were no hard feelings because the pair transferred to U-Hi from CV.

Both acknowledged an iciness between themselves and their former teammates when the two teams met earlier in a jamboree.

“There was tons of tension and pressure,” said Whalen.

New Central Valley coach Laurie Henry agreed that there were hurt feelings on CV’s team.

“They feel like they quit on them,” she said. “They would have made us a stronger team.”

Rather than dwell on their decision, Henry said it served as a motivator, adding spice to the match of intradistrict rivals.

In a brilliantly played five-game match with a dramatic ending, the inspired Bears won the first two sets, 16-14, 15-5, then University rallied to win the final three, 15-0, 15-7, 15-12, coming from 12-9 behind in the final game.

In true storybook fashion, McAuley had four kills among the final six points to end the match, on sets by Whalen who had 47 assists overall.

“We wanted her to get the ball,” said Whalen. “Kristin’s a pressure player and when I get her the ball in her sweet spot, it’s going down.”

Rather than facing their former teammates with anxiety, both said they had looked forward to the game.

Whalen, a two-year starting setter for the Bears, switched to University after last volleyball season. McAuley, a little-used front row player, enrolled at U-Hi this fall.

Both have been integral to U-Hi’s surprising early season 4-2 record.

“Angel is one of the best two setters in league,” said Titan coach Rik Austing. “This is a sport she takes seriously.”

McAuley, he said, needed more consistency in order to play.

“We knew she could crush the ball,” said Austing. “Her problem was her footwork.”

With continued improvement, she’s averaged double digit kills in the last three Titan games, including 16 Thursday night.

Both had different reasons for their decision to transfer.

McAuley lives in the U-Hi attendance area, having moved here six years ago from New Jersey when her father was transferred by Kaiser.

The Horizon Junior High graduate enrolled at Central Valley because of conflict with some older students.

“I tried to be nice and didn’t understand,” said McAuley, who is black. “I went to CV where people would know me for myself.”

She decided to transfer, “mainly because of lack of (black) culture,” and, she said, to be able to make her voice heard.

Whalen admitted that her decision had to do with volleyball, although it wasn’t the sole reason.

“It is part of my soul,” she said.

Whalen has played club volleyball since age 12 and was concerned that volleyball is considered secondary to other CV sports.

But, she said, “When I was at the hearing I said if I transferred for volleyball I would have gone to Lewis and Clark or Shadle.”

Both players see CV’s program going in the right direction under Henry and wish their former teammates success.

“Laurie is really a great coach who has instilled a new attitude,” said Whalen. “And they have the best athletes in the Valley.”

Neither, however, regrets changing schools. Both were welcomed by their new teammates and say they have improved in their new environment.

“Last year I didn’t get to play at all,” said McAuley. “Coming here has helped me.”

Their major fear was that they would be intruding on positions of returning Titan players.

Austing laid that to rest.

“The whole team has a great attitude,” he said. “Angel and Kristina fit right in.”

Thursday night was a perfect example.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo