By Charles Whisnand
Appeal Sports Editor
Yerington High's Kayla Lommori has been one of the nation's most decorated volleyball players for the past two years, so it's no surprise that the national honors just keep coming for the junior standout.
PrepVolleyball.com has named Lommori to its 2007 All-American team. PrepVolleyball.com has also named Lommori as one of 21 finalists for its National Player of the Year for the junior class. PrepVolleyball.com will name its players of the year for each class on January 30.
Lommori was also named as a finalist to be the National Player of the Year for the sophomore class last year by PrepVolleyball.com. Lommori is also closing in on making a decision on where she'll attend college, saying she's leaning toward Santa Clara.
Being named as an All-American is especially impressive since Lommori was one of only 27 juniors out of 150 players named to the team by PrepVolleyball.com. Several sophomores were named to the team while the rest were seniors.
"It's just a really good honor to have," Lommori said. "I didn't really expect to get it. I was suprised."
Lommori said she will likely give her nonbinding commitment to Santa Clara after compting for the Capital City Volleyball Club in the Presiden'ts Day Tournament in Las Vegas on February 16. The earliest Lommori can sign is in November during the fall signing period.
"At this point I am," said Lommori about commiting to Santa Clara. "I'm actually waiting after the Vegas Tournament just to be sure. I'm not ready to make a full commitment yet."
While college coaches from all over the nation will be at the Las Vegas Tournament, Lommori said that really has nothing to do with her decision to wait. "I'm just kind of hesitant," said Lommori, who has also visited San Francisco and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. "I shouldn't be hesitant, but I am."
Lommori has been recruited by numerous college programs as an outside hitter. "She hits the ball very hard," Yerington assistant coach Jim Aiazzi said.
What makes Lommori so attractive to college coaches is she's 6-1 with especially long arms. She also has great jumping ability and is nearing the point where she may even eventually be able to dunk a basketball. "She can get up," Aiazzi said.
Hopefully by the end of the year or in the summer when I have a lot of time to do some major jump training," said Lommori, commenting on her goal to dunk a basketball.
In naming Lommori as a finalist for its Junior Player of the Year, PrepVolleyball.com calls Lommori the hardest hitter in the state.
In leading Yerington to its second straight NIAA 3A State title last year, Lommori had 624 kills, 161 blocks, 153 digs and 18 aces. She had 25 kills and nine blocks in the state finals when the Lions beat Truckee for the crown. "She's just a great player," Aiazzi said. "We're thrilled for her."