Making the cut

Mike Sciacca

When Stephanie Darnall and Ryan Fair each learned recently of the

news that they had made all-CIF-Southern Section in their respective

sports, both said the announcement caught them by surprise.

“I was kind of surprised by it, yeah, especially to make first

team,” said Darnall, 16, who was named to the first team all-CIF

Division IV girls’ volleyball team.

Fair, 17, was named third team all-CIF in Division I boys’ water

polo.

“Well, I didn’t think that would happen, but I was super excited

when I heard I had made it,” said the senior.

Darnall’s inclusion on the Division IV first team is remarkable in

that the junior has only been playing organized volleyball for three

years.

“She’s relatively new to the sport, by today’s standards,” Laguna

girls’ volleyball coach Lance Stewart said. “Stephanie has really

made huge strides from her sophomore year.

“Her jump serve was a big weapon for us and other teams knew that

we would set her the ball, but she still came through. She still has

a whole lot to learn, though. She hasn’t even scratched the surface.”

The 5-foot-11 Darnall, a left-side attacker, led the Breakers in

three categories this fall: aces, kills and digs.

She also was a first team all-Pacific Coast League pick and named

team MVP on offense.

“I’m really happy with how the season went and I’m really looking

forward to next year’s team,” Darnall said. “I want to work on my

game, too. I’m hoping to become more consistent and work at

fundamentals, like passing. There’s still a lot more I want to do.”

Ryan Fair’s final season for the Breakers was a memorable one for

the senior.

He led the team in scoring with 127 goals and was selected team

MVP in only his second year at the varsity level.

“I’m excited for him,” Laguna boys’ water polo coach Rick McKee

said of Fair’s all-CIF honor. “He’s very deserving of it.

“Ryan’s a very good player who knows the game really well. He

really was a force for us in the water and he’s a really good kid.”

Fair, one of two team captains for the Breakers, also was named

first team all-Pacific Coast League, a year after making all-league

second team.

“I had a lot of fun playing water polo at Laguna,” Fair said.

“This team was so tightly knit, even away from the pool, and that

made the season even more special.”