Prep volleball preview: Girls have strong teams
Frederick Neitze once wrote, “That which does not kill us only makes us stronger.” If that’s the case, then the volleyball teams of the Palomar League are probably the strongest in San Diego County.
Playing in one of the toughest leagues in the state has its upside and downside for local girls volleyball athletes.
The preparation of competing at such a high level sharpens and intensifies the young women to a razor’s edge. Conversely, when a club can be beaten on a regular basis, things can get pretty discouraging at times.
No more tangible proof of the first point was the 2005 Rancho Bernardo squad, which finished 0-10 in league, yet made it to the CIF Division I quarterfinals. In addition, the Westview Wolverines, which finished fourth in the league, came within one game of a CIF Division II crown.
Westview
The Lady Wolverines came in fourth in the Palomar League in 2005, yet earned a spot in the Division II championships (losing for the second year in a row to Scripps Ranch, in a grueling five-match affair) under rookie coach Luis Cuatok (who claimed a title with University City in 2000).
“This is probably the toughest league in the county, so I’m not disappointed with our second-place finish, said Cuatok. “The girls were sad, of course, but we had nothing to hang our heads over.”
This year, look for senior leadership to come from Julianne Faucette (6-2, outside hitter, heading to the University of Texas next fall), Chesea Klein (5-9), Ashley Sacknoff (5-3, setter) and Katie Girten (5-7, libero); with junior setter Erin Lupfer (5-3), junior right side player Brooke Hasselmann (5-10) and sophomore outside hitter Ariel Stark (5-8) aiding the cause.
“I really think we’re going to do better this year than we did last,” added Cuatok. “If we’re going to get over the top, I believe this is the season in which we will do it.”
Poway
Longtime coach Lisa Reis knows how to win CIF championships for the Titans. In fact, she has presided over 11 titles (the last one in 2003). Reis’ clubs have also finished second seven times for an incredible postseason record of achievement. But things are not as easy for the Titans these days, especially after finishing third in the league and falling in the CIF Division I quarterfinals to Fallbrook.
“It’s a very strong league, and then, after the regular season, you have to deal with Division I teams,” said Reis, Poway’s volleyball guru since the last year of the Carter administration.
Returning veterans trying to return the Titans to the Promised Land include seniors Emily Collett (5-9, setter), Lauren Buckley (5-9, outside hitter), Monica Senger (5-11, outside hitter), Brandi Jones (5-4, libero) and Dani Meyers (5-8, middle blocker); as well as juniors Cory Ogden (5-8, outside hitter), Kaitlyn Plum (5-7, defense), Emily Capozolli (6-1, utility) and Christina Villamayor (6-foot, utility).
“Some good things are missing from our team this year, but we have added other things,” said Reis. “La Costa Canyon is probably the team to beat right now; but we’ll be right in there among the top six squads.”
Mt. Carmel
The Lady Sundevils battled Westview High School last season for a chance to play Scripps Ranch in the CIF Division II championship, eventually falling in three straight. Despite that setback, however, three-year head coach Sally Novack expects good things from her charges this year, and believes Mt. Carmel will be right in the thick of the postseason in 2006.
“We’re a senior-dominated team,” she said. “We have kids that are leaders on and off the court, and are great examples to the newer and underclassmen players.”
Accepting that mantel will be such seniors as co-captains Ashly Schanback (5-11, setter) and Brooke Ellison (5-8, setter); as well as Chelsea Bemis (5-6, outside hitter, who led MC to a recent sweep of El Camino), Jessica Bernstein (5-8, middle blocker), Katie Everds (5-7, outside hitter), Taylor Pritchard (5-4, libero), Alyssa Schott (5-6, outside hitter) and Carly Tremblay (5-8, middle blocker). These 12th-graders will be joined by junior Kelly Hansen (6-3, middle blocker), a transfer student from Steele Canyon, as well as other talented players.
“I fell really good about this team this year,” added Novak. “We have incredible backcourt (i.e. defensive) skills, as well as some kids who can really hit the ball. Although, I never want to predict anything, I think we will give the Palomar League a run for its money; and we also have a good chance to be in the final game for Division II. It should be a very interesting year.”
Rancho Bernardo
As previously mentioned, a testament to the above-average competition in the Palomar League in 2005 was that the Lady Broncos — which did not win a league contest — still earned a playoff berth in Division I under first-year skipper, Jason Miner. Well, this year, Miner’s gone and former Westview boys coach Brad Baldwin has taken his place.
And while Baldwin, a retired firefighter, sees himself as only an interim leader (a bridge to a more permanent mentor), he feels building continuity is the most important thing right now.
“This program has had four coaches in the past five years,” he said. “I’d like to build consistency, bring back some of the old school traditions of having the older girls train the younger ones; and make it dominant once again.”
To do so, Baldwin will rely on senior co-captains Alura Berry (6-foot, middle blocker) and Michelle Eckmann (5-10, right side player). According to the coach, there are 10 more girls who are about equal in talent, so he declines to name them specifically.
“I’m really excited about this group,” he said. “These girls really know how to have fun. We’re not worried about wins and losses right now.”