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The Jump, April 29: Dover's Strausbaugh gets national recognition


Starting today, were going to try a new daily feature at the Varsity Beat called "The Jump" (it took me all of 30 seconds to come up with the name). Every Tuesday-Saturday, we'll have a morning post taking a quick-hit look at prep sports news and notes from around the YAIAA and beyond.

So without further adieu, here goes nothing...

Stausbaugh makes national recruiting list

Dover girls' volleyball standout Sammie Strausbaugh received some national pub recently, when PrepVolleyball.com named the rising junior to its Soph 79 list -- an annual collection of the sport's top high school sophomores.

PrepVolleyball.com is a pay site ($29.95 a year ... no thanks) but here's it's bio of Strausbaugh, courtesy of Dover AD Rich Leathery.

Sammie Strausbaugh, 5-8 S/OH, Dover (Pennsylvania) - A do-it-all player, Strausbaugh averaged five kills, 3.5 digs and 3.5 assists per game for Dover in 2009. Named All State for the second straight year, Strausbaugh has an effective jump serve, runs the offense as a setter, terminates plays with kills, does her part passing, and even lends a hand at the net blocking. Behind her leadership, Dover reached the district semifinals in 2009.

Indeed, Strausbaugh is a complete player. But the showpiece of her game is a deadly, nose-diving jump serve that rivals any in the area (boys' or girls'). Her sister, Casie, will be a senior on next year's team.

Only one other player from Pennsylvania made the Soph 79 list: MacKenzie Kleespsies of Avon Grove.

Tennis seeds released

The YAIAA boys' tennis singles tournament will begin Friday with first and second-round play. The seedings for the Class AAA and Class AA competitions were set tonight during a meeting at West York High School. Here are the top eight seeds for each class.

Class AA (First and second round begins 2 p.m. Friday at South Western)

1. Ben Nace, Delone Catholic

2. James Bishoff, York Catholic

3. Jordan Rodgers, Biglerville

4. Gabi Rosenbrien, Hanover

5. Michael Hogg, York Suburban

6. Mike Rice, Biglerville

7. Sebastian Chiriloae, York Country Day

8. Alex Daubert, Hanover

Class AAA (First and second round play begins 2 p.m. Friday at Dallastown)

1. Teddy Rittase, Dallastown

2. Tommy Nicklas, South Western

3. Brian Schackelford, Central York

4. Max Lilie, Dallastown

5. Mack Meyer, South Western

6. Jimmy Nicklas, South Western

7. Ian Jones, Red Lion

8. Ethan Boyle, Dallastown

The quarterfinals and semifinals for both classes will be held at South Western on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. The finals and consolations matches will be held at South Western on Monday at 4 p.m.

South Western's 50-year celebration continues

South Western is inviting back all former track and field athletes to attend the Mustangs' meet with New Oxford on May 11. The school will hold a reception for all former athletes at 5 p.m. The meet will begin at 6 p.m., and there will be a special recognition for all alumni in attendance.

Anybody interested in registering for the event can click here.

Daily Links

- YDR: In baseball, Red Lion outlasted Spring Grove, 12-9, in a wild, nine-inning affair.

- YDR: In boys' volleyball, Spring Grove squeaked out a 3-2 win against Chambersburg. It's a fairly significant victory for the Rockets: I saw Chambersburg beat Division I kingpin Central York at the Koller Classic tournament earlier this year.

- The Varsity Beat: Red Lion's OL/DL Andrew Zeller is fielding Division I scholarship offers.

- Evening Sun: In a big YAIAA boys' lacrosse upset, South Western turned back Division I leaders Dallastown, 11-7.