CLU BEAT: PARK'S VALUABLE SECRET: WINNING SCIAC VOLLEYBALL TITLES.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

If James Park could figure out the secret, he said he would cash in on it and write a book.

The Cal Lutheran women's volleyball coach is not sure how he's produced five Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions in the past six years, especially after the Regals started this season 0-5, but he'll settle for taking CLU to its sixth consecutive playoff appearance.

The Regals open the NCAA Division III West Regional Championships at UC San Diego tonight at 7:30 p.m against Colorado College (22-5).

Injuries, youth - the Regals have no seniors and just three returning players since junior setter Alyssa Hain quit a month into the season - and little time to practice before the season started are some of the factors Park attributes to this year's poor start. Good passing and staying united have been mainstays during CLU's turnaround.

``We were playing as six individuals when we were losing,'' Park said.

The Regals (18-10) rebounded from a slow start to go undefeated in conference, putting them two SCIAC wins away from tying the conference mark of 26 consecutive SCIAC victories. CLU is seeded sixth in the regional tournament, which also features Bethel, Pacific Lutheran, Cal State Hayward and No. 1 seed UCSD.

Freshman Sally Jahraus adjusted well to the move from middle blocker to outside hitter and is now one of the Regals' most dangerous hitters, as is Ali Piff.

``We've had our ups and downs,'' said setter Kari Whitney, whose play improved when she took over as the full-time setter. ``We've had some great matches where we really played well, but we've also had some matches where we were just getting by against teams that weren't as good.

``We're a really young team, and we've done really well considering how many freshmen we have. We're definitely excited to be going to playoffs, but what I'm really excited about is next year with all the talent we have coming back.''

The winner of tonight's match faces CSU Hayward on Friday. The championship is Saturday at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to next week's NCAA quarterfinals.

Good riddance: The CLU women's soccer team should be among the happiest to see UCSD move up to the Division II level next year. For the sixth time in the Regals' seven playoff appearances, the Tritons eliminated CLU from the postseason Saturday, preventing the Regals from advancing past the regionals for the first time.

The Tritons, who won the regional tournament, edged CLU 4-3 on penalty kicks when the teams could not break a 1-1 deadlock during two overtimes.

Alix Rucinski scored CLU's goal to give her 19 for the season, two short of the Regals' freshman record set by Joey Allard in 1992.

A record, but no win: Quarterback Chris Czernek, who set a number of records during his high school career, earned his place in the Kingsmen record books Saturday.

He attempted a team-record 71 passes, completing 43 of them for 367 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. His three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter provided 21 consecutive points and allowed CLU to send the game to overtime.

Czernek, however, could not produce a touchdown in overtime, and the Kingsmen (3-5) lost 41-38, their second consecutive overtime defeat. Czernek has completed 155 of 273 passes this season for 1,501 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Golf tournament: The 20th annual Sparky Anderson CLU Baseball Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday at the Wood Ranch Country Club in Simi Valley. Former Detroit Tigers manager Anderson heads the list of celebrities. Philadelphia Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal is also expected to participate.

The tournament has a shotgun start at 11 a.m. and has a Texas scramble format. Entry fee is $200 per person, which includes greens fee, tee prizes, a raffle, auction, gifts and dinner. Dinner only is $50. All proceeds benefit the CLU baseball team, which has reached the NCAA Division III finals the past two seasons.

Entries should be mailed to: Sparky Anderson-CLU Baseball Golf Classic, Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360-2787. Information: Coach Marty Slimak [phone].

On the run again:: After a week off, CLU's cross country teams compete at the West Regionals on Saturday in Portland, Ore. for a chance to advance to the Nov. 20 national championships at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.

DIVISION III PLAYOFFS

Cal Lutheran (18-10) vs. Colorado College (22-5)

What: Volleyball

Where: UC San Diego

When: Tonight, 7:30

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: Division III Playoffs (see text)