ALL TOGETHER NOW TAFT LACKS EXPERIENCE, BUT NO TEAM IS TIGHTER.Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer Terry Soltani attended 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. tryouts only because her friend did not want to go alone. Soltani knew so little about the sport that the terminology sounded like a different language. Her friend didn't make the team, but three years later Soltani still is playing, starting at 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. for Taft High of Woodland Hills' girls' team. ``I got sucked in,'' said Soltani, whose twin, Berry, is a reserve for the Toreadors. ``I didn't know anything about volleyball, but they've taught me so much here.'' Terry Soltani's story is not unusual among the Toreadors. Unlike most top high school teams, Taft is not loaded with club players, or even those who had much understanding of the game before entering high school. Yet, here they are, playing for the program's first City Section title. Second-seeded Taft faces No. 1 San Pedro for the championship tonight at 8 at Occidental College History The Birth of Occidental College Occidental College (commonly referred to as Oxy) was founded on April 20, 1887, by a group of Presbyterian clergy and laymen. in Eagle Rock. It is the Toreadors' second title-match appearance. ``It's a popular misconception mis·con·cep·tion n. A mistaken thought, idea, or notion; a misunderstanding: had many misconceptions about the new tax program. that all my girls play club,'' Taft coach Arman Mercado For the hispanic surname "Mercado", please see de Mercado. Mercado first originated in Spain. In English it means 'market'. Is the last name of the 'Great' Fifa Soccer player Eswold. said. ``Especially when they see how well they play. ``They deserve credit. The way their timing is on, and the way they work with their setter, they just put in a lot of effort.'' Taft (30-7) has benefited from the addition of senior outside hitter Kameron Thomas and her sister Savannah Savannah, city, United States Savannah, city (1990 pop. 137,560), seat of Chatham co., SE Ga., a port of entry on the Savannah River near its mouth; inc. 1789. , a junior opposite, club players who moved from Valencia. Taft's success primarily is built upon devotion and a strong bond resulting from a family-like atmosphere. Mercado looks for certain types of players. ``I just take whoever has the best character (at tryouts),'' he said. ``I don't really necessarily look for skill. You're looking to see if they're dedicated, if they're team players. I know if I have them in my program for two or three years, they'll be a factor on varsity.'' Outside hitter Jessica Duran, a captain, had no volleyball experience when she joined the team. Libero Libero can refer to:
The Toreadors don't believe they're at a disadvantage for not having a lot of club volleyball experience. ``It's almost like we play club,'' Terry Soltani said. ``Because we play year-round - we have offseason class and summer league. And every time we play, we play our hardest, our absolute hardest.'' Taft played in summer leagues four nights a week last summer, with players agreeing to sacrifice vacations. The Toreadors spend so much time together off the court that Soltani jokes, ``People think we're a cult.'' Heather Gripp, (818) 713-3607 heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com GIRLS VOLLEYBALL FINALS SOUTHERN SECTION III-A Harvard-Westlake vs. Notre Dame Academy Notre Dame Academy may refer to:
CITY SECTION Taft vs. San Pedro at Occidental College, 8 p.m. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Taft is led by, clockwise clock·wise adv. & adj. Abbr. cw. In the same direction as the rotating hands of a clock. clockwise Adverb, adj in the direction in which the hands of a clock rotate from upper left, Savannah Thomas, Kaiyana Johnson, Tatiana Hithe, Terry Soltani, Jessica Duran and Kameron Thomas. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News Box: GIRLS VOLLEYBALL FINALS |
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