Hard Hitter Cv’s Sabrina Page More Than Makes Up For Her Lack Of Height On The Volleyball Squad

Central Valley High School volleyball player Sabrina Page understands that she labors under a disadvantage.

At 5-foot-5, she is short for an outside hitter.

In three years at CV, she has played for three different coaches. She has had to adjust not only to different styles, but has had to convince each coach that she could play in the front row.

That hasn’t stopped Page from being a force for the Bears, who have won as many games this year as they have in the previous three seasons combined.

“She’s one of those unsung people who gets the job done,” said interim coach Bernie Hite. “She’s our best jumper without question and our strongest player overall.”

If only she were a few inches taller, he reasoned, Page would really make volleyball news.

Page herself understands the sentiment but doesn’t think her lack of height has been a hinderance.

Indeed, on Wednesday, despite a bitter four-game loss to North Central, she had 18 kills at the net and as many digs on defense from the back row.

“I work hard to hit like I do,” she explained. “I think if I were taller I wouldn’t work as hard.”

Page’s hard work has paid off this year for the 4-11 Bears. That doesn’t mean there haven’t been setbacks.

Going into the week CV had a chance to clinch outright a Greater Spokane League district playoff berth for the first time since 1991.

The Bears defeated last-place University in four games on Tuesday. A win over 3-12 NC would have assured sixth-place in league.

But the Bears lost 6-15, 15-9, 15-10, 15-12 to create a virtual three-way tie for the final district spot. CV completes the season with a make-up match Monday at Gonzaga Prep. It needs a win to avoid a Tuesday playoff just to qualify for district.

“It was disappointing loss,” said Page. “But I feel if we play hard enough we can beat Prep.”

Hite, who is filling in this year until CV can hire a permanent coach, said the team was talented enough to win at least six games.

“This was a better club than what I was led to believe,” he said after the Bears dispatched U-Hi 15-0, 13-15, 15-5, 15-5. “They had skills.”

Seven players are back, including third-year power hitter Crystal Lee and setter Jessica Sackmann. Junior Lonnie Knigge has been strong in the middle.

The only bad game CV played was a second-round loss at Shadle Park. In games against league co-runner-up Mead and fourth-place Rogers, the Bears had opportunities for upsets.

He expected to beat NC in a well-played game both ways in which Indians patience was rewarded.

“They played good defense. Our hitters gunned it and they handled it,” he said. “We didn’t handle awkward balls well and didn’t get enough breaks.”

Page got her breaks this year. She took up volleyball in junior high and came to love it. She has played club ball since ninth grade and finally, as a senior, broke into CV’s lineup fulltime.

“Last year I didn’t play much and if I went in it was in the back row,” she said.

It may not have been fair and predicated on her size, said Page, but “everybody has to take their turn on the bench.”

She considers passing the best part of her game, but as a hitter has the ability to see the opposition blocker and hit around her.

More important, said Hite, Page is a good person.

“She’s polite, a super human being and really solid,” he said.

And if the Bears make district, she’ll have a gratifying end to a superb senior year.

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