Carly Wopat: State Girls Athlete of the Week

Sam and Carly Wopat

For our first girls' honoree ever from the Santa Barbara area, we have someone whose prowess on the volleyball court is almost superseded by her work in the classroom. Plus, she has a twin that's just as good on the court and with the books.

If a lot of folks aren't familiar with the Santa Barbara suburb of Goleta, they will be now, especially after the way the girls from just off Highway 101 played 250 miles down the coast in San Diego last weekend.

Three previous ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com Girls State Athletes of the Week, two from this season and one from last, plus two potential honorees, all competed at the 16th Annual California Challenge on October 16-17 at Torrey Pines High.

We don't have repeat winners but it wouldn't have mattered anyway. All five girls played well, but in the end, there was no doubt as to who would be the winner of this week's award.

She has a solid team around her, including a twin sister, but Goleta Dos Pueblos' Carly Wopat was head-and-shoulders above anyone at the Cal Challenge, leading the Chargers to a defeat of the hosts for the tournament title in a field that included eight teams in the ESPN RISE Volleyball FAB 50.

Although Wopat, who earned tournament most valuable player honors, had 13 kills, five blocks and an ace in the 3-0 championship victory over the FAB 50 No. 46 Lady Falcons, it was her performance in a five-game semifinal win over No. 24 Manhattan Beach Mira Costa that was most impressive and the catalyst for winning ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com's Girls State Athlete of the Week.

 (Edit:Ruby)