Callie Rivers
Winter Park
Florida
Being a top-notch volleyball player came naturally to Callie Rivers. She's always been tall for her age group, slender, and quick on her feet -- genes she inherited from her father, NBA coach and former player Doc Rivers.
Her passion for the sport, however, took a bit longer to develop. Basketball was the sport of choice for her three siblings. To Rivers, basketball seemed more rough, tough and athletic. A perfect fit for a strong girl with three brothers.
"I thought [volleyball] was a girly sport. I remember thinking, 'I'm not wearing those bows,' " said Rivers, 17.
Despite her reservations, she tried out for her eighth-grade volleyball team because she enjoyed competition. Rivers considered herself a less-than-average player to start with, but she quickly fashioned herself into one of Central Florida's premier volleyball players.
She led Winter Park to an unprecedented three Class 6A state titles from 2004-06 playing two positions -- middle and outside hitter. Many area coaches consider the 6-foot-1 Rivers one of the best volleyball talents -- no small feat considering the number of gifted athletes from Central Florida. For that, she was a unanimous choice of coaches and the media as the 2006 Orlando Sentinel Central Florida volleyball player of the year.
"She's tall, can jump, she's got the mental drive, she wants to be the best and if her size was not enough, she's got the talent as well," said Diane Langmo, coach of Class 1A state champion Orangewood Christian. "I've seen them be down and she keeps banging the ball. She plays to win."
Rivers has been supported by a strong cast at Winter Park. She and senior outside hitter Sarah Mendoza, also a first-team all-Central Florida selection, have threatened opponents all season with their power kills.
Together, they combined for more than 700 kills this season. Rivers orally committed to the University of Florida. Mendoza committed to the University of Kentucky.
The success of Winter Park's program has only been matched by Lake Highland Prep's three consecutive Class 3A state championships -- Rivers' former school.
Four players from the Highlanders' program were named as all-state selections and three of the seniors -- Kaley Viola, Katie Gallagher and Erin Fleming -- wrapped up their high-school careers with four consecutive trips to the state finals.
And that's just where the list of high-achieving players and programs starts.
Orangewood Christian won its second Class 1A title supported by leading seniors Meg Weathersby and Ria Varnell. Weathersby, who committed to Flagler College, was voted an all-state selection for three seasons. Varnell made two appearances on that list and while she's talented enough to earn a college scholarship, she's opted to play recreationally.
Timber Creek's program peaked this year with a Class 6A state championship showdown against rival Winter Park.
Lake Howell reached historic levels at the state tournament thanks mostly to senior Ruthie King. King, a 5-foot-11 attacker, almost single-handedly kept alive the Silver Hawks for five games in the state semifinals against Fort Myers. She set a school record in kills per match with 38, one of many hitting records she holds at Lake Howell.
King's school didn't get the championship, but she kept making history this season when she was voted Florida's Miss Volleyball -- the first for Central Florida.
Some thought Rivers would be upset when she was edged out of the award. But Rivers said she was glad for her friend. She and King met in Maryland while trying out for a USA club volleyball team.
"A lot of people could have gotten [that award]," Rivers said. "Either way, somebody would have been upset. I'd rather see her get it than somebody I don't know at all."
