Conference. (Photo by Ed Piper/Special for Times of San Diego)
Charlotte Jansen is only a sophomore in her second year of playing beach volleyball for La Jolla Country Day, and she has already been named Player of the Year and helped her team win its second straight Coastal Conference title.
“Charlotte shows experience beyond her age. She has excellent court vision and
beach volleyball IQ, which allows her to problem-solve and adapt in real time,” says
Coach Lynne Galli.
Jansen’s ascent to Player of the Year didn’t come without fair notice.
Jansen was named Player of the Week in March when she and teammate won five matches versus teams from Carlsbad, University City, Rancho Bernardo, Helix, and Santa Fe Christian.
During the streak, Jansen averaged 15 kills, 12 digs, five aces, and two blocks per match.
Relaxed and confident in an interview, the beach volleyball team captain said she enjoys the “culture” of beach volleyball.
“When you’re playing in tournaments (outside of school), other players come to
cheer you on. It’s like a giant family,” said Jansen.
“I’ve met so many people from different states,” she said. “We go out and grab a bite to eat. We might go back to a hotel and DoorDash-it, or go to a family’s house” (of someone who lives nearby).
On her ability to adapt to different partners in the two-person sport, she said, “I started this season with Calin (Schneider), a senior. She was on my indoor volleyball team. I didn’t really know her. Beach allowed me to get to know her, and we’re best friends now.”
Subsequently, “Halfway through the season, coach [Galli] switched me to playing with Gianna Whitman, a freshman. She was really loud and cheering. She was always uplifting, to lift the mood of others on the team.”
One approach Galli uses in her program is to move players around to compete with different partners, so players learn to adapt, communicate and build skill development.
The young La Jolla Country Day squad, Coastal Conference title repeat winners, has 10 freshmen, two sophomores and three juniors.
“Next year, we’re really going to be good,” said Jansen.
