The Patriot League girls’ volleyball coaches named Bonsall High School senior Ashlin Smith as the league’s player of the year, and two other Legionnaires were also placed on the all-league first team.

Smith was joined on the first team by senior Najia Lamb and sophomore Dani Leung.

“I’m proud of them. They worked hard,” Bonsall coach Justin Hargrove said. “They really helped set the tone during our games.”

Smith was a middle blocker, and she also played the middle back position rather than having a defensive specialist substitute for her.

“She lays it on the court,” Hargrove said.

“It’s awesome for her,” Hargrove said of Smith’s league player of the year award. “She’s played really well throughout the year. She’s been very consistent.”

Last year Smith was also selected to the Patriot League first team. She was Bonsall’s only all-league player in 2018. Bonsall does not have a junior varsity team, so Smith was on the varsity as a freshman in 2016 and played on the Legionnaires’ varsity all four of her high school seasons.

“She’s played great. I’m very proud of her,” Hargrove said.

Hargrove took over as the Legionnaires’ coach this year; Eric Hendy coached Smith and the other players from 2015 to 2018.

Lamb was a middle blocker and outside hitter who also played in the middle during a back-row rotation.

“Najia is a phenomenal athlete,” Hargrove said.

“She definitely deserves making first team,” Hargrove said. “She’s one of our captains. She helped lead the team and helped set the tone.”

Bonsall was in the Apollo League from 2015 to 2017. Lamb was named to the Apollo League’s first team in 2016, which was her only previous all-league honor.

Leung is a setter and outside hitter.

“Dani is one of the hardest working girls we’ve had,” Hargrove said. “She comes in with a great attitude. She plays great.”

Bonsall will be playing without the two senior all-league players during the 2020 season.

Get the rest of the story at VillageNews.com