In her first year, the Tologs didn't lose a match in the Mission League for the first time in school history, as she earned All-Area first-team honors.
In her second season, Orlandini was touted as one of the best in the area. By the time she's in her senior campaign, she might be considered as one of the top players to ever step foot at Flintridge Sacred Heart.
She had another impressive season, finishing with 963 assists in 100 games, eclipsing last year's total of 909 in 103 games.
However, her efforts couldn't prevent the Tologs (30-4) from falling to La Salle in five games on Friday in the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division IVAA playoffs.
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Nancy Tinkham put Orlandini on the varsity squad last year.
But Tinkham resigned as the Tologs' head coach in February to take the same position at Village Christian School. In stepped Orlandini's mom, Shelli, who guided the Flintridge Sacred Heart junior varsity program for 11 years.
Shelli Orlandini knew her daughter understood the intricacies of the game.
"She's grown up with a volleyball," said Shelli Orlandini, who was an All-American at Cal State Northridge from 1983-85.
As the head coach, Shelli had more of a hands-on approach to Sam's volleyball career, and Sam reaped the benefits.
"I really try to teach her to understand the rotations," Shelli said. "It's almost like a quarterback in football. You have your No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 options. You try to get her to see that your No. 1 option might not work with [an opponents'] blocking scheme.
"She has done a great job with that this year."
Said Tolog junior outside hitter Julie Herrera: "Sam adjusts to every player and how they want their sets. It makes it a lot easier for [the hitters]."
Shelli made Sam's responsibilities less stressful by taking away her playing-calling duties.
