DAILY PILOT GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL DREAM TEAM:

As coach of the Newport Harbor High girls’ volleyball team for the past 23 seasons, Dan Glenn has seen a variety of players, plenty of talent.

Ask him about each and he’ll speak with excitement about everyone of them. Yet, he reserves a special respect for certain types of players, especially in these times when athletes specialize in one sport.

The multi-sport athlete still exists, but it seems to be becoming rare. Glenn is fascinated by the versatility of these athletes and their ability to shift from one season to the next, one sport after the other.

This year, Katey Thompson certainly fits the bill.

The junior middle blocker, this year’s Dream Team Player of the Year, was a big reason for the Sailors reaching the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA quarterfinals and for finishing second place in the tough Sunset League. This weekend, she’s sporting high-top sneakers and trying to put the basketball in the hoop at a tournament in Palm Desert. She’s one of the top scorers for the Newport Harbor girls’ basketball team.

During the fall, Thompson was the Sailors’ threat in the middle on her way to earning first-team All-Sunset League honors. Thompson, who recorded 147 kills, proved to be a bright spot when it mattered most.

Glenn respects multi-sport athletes, but he definitely doesn’t disregard those who possess competitive fire and want the ball in critical situations.

“I just think she always played well in big matches,” Glenn said of Thompson. “The bigger the match, the better she played.”

Glenn is hoping she’ll do the same next year, though he also wants her to improve on her blocking, he said. Basketball just might help in that department.

The rest of the Daily Pilot Dream Team follows:

MADIE SMITH

Corona del Mar, Jr.

Smith has earned her second straight honor as part of the Daily Pilot Dream Team. She was known as one of the top setters in the county, helping lead the Sea Kings to their third straight Pacific Coast League championship. Last year’s PCL Player of the Year earned first-team all-league honors this season with a team-best 938 assists.

She also had 307 digs, 667 kills and 19 aces, as she helped guide Corona del Mar to the title match of the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA playoffs and to the regional final of the CIF state tournament.

ANNIE TOMASEK

Estancia, Sr.

Tomasek, an outside hitter on the Dream Team for the second straight year, recorded 370 kills, a single-season school record, Coach Jim Huffman said. The two-time first-team All-Orange Coast League selection also had 298 digs, 34 service aces and 20 blocks, leading the Eagles to a second-place finish in league.

She also led Estancia (19-8) to a first-round upset of Huntington Beach in the CIF Division I-A playoffs. She recorded 20 kills and 20 digs in the opening round win.

LINDSEY KISH

Sage Hill, Jr.

Kish led the Lightning to a share of the Academy League championship. It was Sage Hill’s second co-championship in four years. She also earned first-team All-Academy League honors, leading the Lightning in kills with 158 and digs with 190. The outside hitter helped Sage Hill (15-11, 9-1 in league) reach the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA playoffs.

CONLEY KIPP

Corona del Mar, Sr.

Kipp, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker, led CdM with 247 kills and 43 blocks, as she came on strong toward the end of the season. The two-time first-team All-PCL selection was also highly instrumental in two five-game victories against league rival Beckman.

MARY BUCKINGHAM

Newport Harbor, Sr.

Buckingham, a first-team All-Sunset League honoree, will continue playing at UC Berkeley next year. The senior outside hitter was one of the top players for Coach Glenn’s Sailors.

She finished with 142 kills. Her 14 kills helped lead Newport Harbor to a four-game win over rival CdM.

KIRBY BURNHAM

Newport Harbor, Jr.

Burnham, a second-team All-Sunset League selection, has verbally committed to play for USC. The 6-1 outside hitter led the Sailors with 161 kills.