BEST DEFENSE FOR QUARTZ HILL REBELS WON'T LET DEPARTURES AFFECT HOPE TO REPEAT AS SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPS.

Byline: Erik Boal Special to the Daily News

The euphoria of becoming the first girls' high school swim team in Antelope Valley history to win a Southern Section championship didn't last long for Quartz Hill.

It couldn't. Especially after Molly Rogers (fourth in Div. IV in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events) and her family moved to the Santa Clarita Valley during the summer, allowing her to enroll at Hart High, an established Div. I program.

Rogers' departure creates a big hole in the Rebels' lineup, but one that isn't significant enough to deter Quartz Hill from its goal of defending its championship May 12 at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

Coaches Jennifer James and Mark Thibault won't let the remaining swimmers use Rogers' absence as a crutch, instead focusing on the dedication and motivation of the returnees to hold off La Reina of Thousand Oaks, St. Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano, Carpinteria, Oaks Christian of Westlake Village and Bonita of La Verne in the race for the Div. IV title.

``It's going to be a lot of work this year,'' said James, who returns Div. IV qualifiers Jessica Alexander, Sarah Colvin, Jessie Neal, Nellie Rodriguez, Crystal Westphal and Alyssa Wilson. ``When you lose someone like (Molly), it's hard, especially in the relays. It's going to take some extra work on the part of the other girls who are returning, but I think it can happen.''

Quartz Hill relied heavily on the points it scored in the relays at last year's final to defeat La Reina 215-200. The Rebels won the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays and finished ninth in the 200 freestyle relay.

Even with the graduation of Christa Ratcliff and the loss of Rogers, Thibault promises Quartz Hill still will be as hungry as ever to win a sixth consecutive Golden League title and represent the Antelope Valley well at the division final.

``They like being from the desert. Even though they won last year, they still consider themselves the underdogs,'' Thibault said. ``They set the bar high for themselves and they're not afraid of (the competition).''

Another individual who is willing to take on all comers is Lancaster sophomore Falicia Mazzella, who placed eighth in the 100 butterfly and just missed qualifying in the 100 backstroke in Div. IV last season. Mazzella, along with sophomore Melissa Higgins and senior Jamie Maddisson, have coach Amanda Orlando - a 2003 Littlerock graduate - optimistic that the Eagles can finish in the top half of league.

``Hopefully we'll come out strong,'' Orlando said. ``We want to make an impact on the Golden League and everyone's motivated to do that.''

Highland and Lancaster could wind up battling for second, but the Bulldogs will have to replace standout Jillian Poitras, who graduated. Palmdale, under new coach Diana Nardi, also will have to replace another front-line performer in Mandy Ramsum. The Falcons will look to senior Kristy Nua to carry the load.

Jerome Harris, who coached at Lancaster last season, has taken over the girls' team at Antelope Valley. Derek Kirwan - a 2003 Littlerock graduate - has taken over the program at his alma mater, while Tammie Furman, who used to coach at Littlerock, is guiding the boys' and girls' teams at Knight.

SWIMMERS TO WATCH

Jessica Alexander, Sr., Quartz Hill

Sarah Colvin, Sr., Quartz Hill

Melissa Higgins, So., Lancaster

Falicia Mazzella, So., Lancaster

Jessie Neal, Sr., Quartz Hill

Kristy Nua, Sr., Palmdale

Nellie Rodriguez, Jr., Quartz Hill

Crystal Westphal, So., Quartz Hill

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SWIMMERS TO WATCH (see text)