January 12, 2024

“Eugene finished with a .700 hitting percentage and had a kill on 10 consecutive swings during one point of the match.” https://www.pressenterprise.com/2023/08/29/kaitlyn-eugene-helps-hillcrest-girls-volleyball-team-sweep-jurupa-valley/ RIVERSIDE — Hillcrest junior outside hitter Kaitlyn Eugene slammed many balls down to the ground Tuesday evening. However, it was one ball she prevented from hitting the ground that elicited the biggest celebration by Eugene. Eugene recorded a match-high 16 kills, and her sprawling dig helped kickstart a decisive 14-2 run in the third set as the Trojans snapped a two-match losing skid with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-17 nonleague victory over Jurupa Valley. Hillcrest started the season with a 5-1 record but dropped back-to-back matches to Beaumont and Corona last week. “We had been trying out a couple of different lineups in those matches,” Hillcrest coach Robyn Hubbard explained. “Today, we just stuck with what we had been previously doing… For the most part, I think we’ve found our lineup.” Eugene and freshman outside hitter Sandie Souza each had two kills as Hillcrest grabbed a 14-6 lead in the opener. Jurupa Valley (11-2) used its serving to cut the deficit to three points on four occasions. Alyssa McPherson, the Jaguars’ 4-foot-11 sophomore libero, served up three aces during the set and her sister Madison had a fourth ace. Hillcrest regrouped, and Eugene registered kills on three of the team’s final five points, including the one to end the set. The second game featured nine ties and seven lead changes. Eugene once again fueled a late charge by the Trojans, who finished with an 8-3 run. Eugene had four kills, and setter Isabel Wold ended the set with a dump for a kill. Jurupa Valley held an 8-6 lead in the third set when Eugene made the diving dig in the back row to extend a point. Hillcrest (6-3) won the point on a kill by Anna Baquiran. The score was tied at 10 when Baquiran stepped up to the service line. Baquiran served up five aces, and Eugene had three kills to help the Trojans extend the lead to 20-10. Souza, one of the top beach players in her age group, capped things with back-to-back kills to finish the night with 13. “I think we really needed this win, and I think it’s going to give us some confidence going ahead,” Eugene said. Eugene finished with a .700 hitting percentage and had a kill on 10 consecutive swings during one point of the match. “I was just looking for the open spots on the court and getting those kills in any way possible,” Eugene said. Madison McPherson led Jurupa Valley with nine kills, which was half of the team’s total output. Alyssa McPherson finished with six aces, tying Baquiran for the most in the match.

Four Athletes Poised for a Big April Kaitlyn Eugene (2025) | 5’9” | OH/DS | Empower of Eastvale Nothing drops on Kaitlyn Eugene . With the exception of her off-speed hits dropping, nothing does drop when she full-length sprawls or appears to run an agility ladder drill around teammates to make a play. In fact, a cone drill could probably also be set up in the pattern of her defensive movement. Her service is full of movement and blocking can be described as setting up a wall post. She is reliable to teammates when they are blocking as she minds the gap very well.