2002 PREVIEW GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL: PALMDALE TO BUILD ON EXPERIENCE FALCONS LOOKING HIGHER THAN FIFTH THIS SEASON.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer For the Palmdale Palmdale, city (1990 pop. 68,842), Los Angeles co., S Calif., in the irrigated Antelope Valley; a growing residential suburb of Los Angeles near Little Rock Creek where it forms Lake Palmdale Reservoir, inc. 1962. High girls' volleyball volleyball, outdoor or indoor ball and net game played on a level court. An upright net, 3 ft (or 1 m) high, the top of which stands 8 ft (2.43 m) from the ground for men, 7 ft 4 1/8 in (2. team, the goals this year are clear: improve on last season's fifth-place finish in the Golden League and challenge for a spot in the playoffs. At first glance, these objectives appear attainable at·tain v. at·tained, at·tain·ing, at·tains v.tr. 1. To gain as an objective; achieve: attain a diploma by hard work. 2. . The Falcons return an experienced group of players, including third-year starting setter setter: see sporting dog. setter Any of three breeds derived from a medieval hunting dog that would set (lie down) when it found birds so that it and the birds could be covered with a net. Setters have long hair on the ears, chest, legs, and tail. Joyce Bautista, to blend with some intriguing in·trigue n. 1. a. A secret or underhand scheme; a plot. b. The practice of or involvement in such schemes. 2. A clandestine love affair. v. newcomers. ``We definitely feel like we can improve on what we did last year,'' Palmdale coach Colleen col·leen n. An Irish girl. [Irish Gaelic cailín, diminutive of caile, girl, from Old Irish. Nua said. But challenges await AWAIT, crim. law. Seems to signify what is now understood by lying in wait, or way-laying. . While Palmdale has experience, it lacks size, especially in the all-important height department. As a result, the Falcons must rely on playmaking and precision to make up for their physical shortages. ``We need to be crisp in the things we do,'' Nua said. The good news is that Bautista is back, providing Palmdale with a dependable leader who is well-schooled in the Falcons' system. It will be Bautista's job to make sure Palmdale is in a steady flow and that the Falcons' offensive attack runs smoothly. ``It's definitely an advantage to have somebody with so much experience at that position,'' Nua said. ``She gives us so much leadership and confidence. We expect a big year from her.'' And that's important, because Palmdale is counting on Lisa Leggett and Helianna Plascentia, a pair of talented sophomores, to step into the lineup A criminal investigation technique in which the police arrange a number of individuals in a row before a witness to a crime and ask the witness to identify which, if any, of the individuals committed the crime. and develop into key contributors. It won't happen overnight, of course, but with Bautista helping them along, it won't be long before Leggett (middle hitter) and Plascentia (middle blocker) are sold performers. ``They've both shown quite a bit of improvement since last year in terms of their hitting skills and overall play,'' Nua said. ``They're both impressive players.'' Leggett and Plascentia will blend with six returning seniors, five of whom started last year, to give the Falcons a nice mix of youth and experience. Other returning players are Liz Davis (setter), Lateela Joyner (outside hitter), Heather Davidson (outside hitter) and Jennifer Thomas Jennifer Thomas is a professional wrestler and valet. She currently works in WWE's developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling. Career She got her start in wrestling as Kharma in UPW. She would also wrestle in other federations on the west coast like IPW. (middle hitter). Davidson is in her third year, although she's coming off a leg injury that limited her time last season and still isn't 100 percent. Nua hopes Davidson is able to work herself back to health in time for Golden league action, if not before. ``She's not quite there just yet,'' Nua said. As for the rest of the team, Nua is encouraged. ``We like what we have,'' Nua said. ``Again, we're not a tall team, so we have to execute defensively and serve well, but if we can play with precision, we can improve on last year.'' AT A GLANCE Team: Palmdale girls' volleyball Coach: Colleen Nua 2001 league finish: Fifth Playoffs: Did not qualify Key returnees: Joyce Bautista (Sr., Setter); Liz Davis (Sr., Setter), Lateela Joyner (Sr., Outside Hitter); Jennifer Thomas (Sr., Middle Blocker); Heather Davidson (Sr., Outside Hitter) Top newcomers: Lisa Leggett (So., Middle Blocker); Helianna Plascentia (So., Middle Blocker) CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Palmdale sophomores Lisa Leggett, left, and Helianna Plascentia will try to blend with the veterans. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer Box: AT A GLANCE (see text) |
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