COC NOTEBOOK: COC COACH CONTINUES TO SEEK CONSISTENCY.

Byline: Erik Boal Special to the Daily News

Since taking over as interim coach of the College of the Canyons women's volleyball team, Eben Hale has run the gamut of emotions during his five-match stint with the Cougars.

``This group of girls has challenged me more than any group I've ever been around, and I've been coaching for 15 years,'' said Hale, who took over for Lisa Hooper - who is on maternity leave - on Oct. 12.

``We're beating the teams we're supposed to, but we're not challenging the teams we need to challenge. I think (when we started 5-0) we were overconfident. We thought we could beat anybody, but we never proved it against anybody.''

Entering Friday's Western State Conference South Division match against visiting Pierce College (8-1, 3-0), COC is 2-3 under Hale. However, two of those three losses were without sophomore outside hitter Taryn Maxwell in the lineup.

Even after Maxwell's return, Hale has watched the Cougars (8-3, 2-1) - ranked No. 9 in the state by the California Community College Women's Volleyball Coaches Association - struggle with their consistency. COC lost at Santa Monica on Friday before rebounding to sweep host Bakersfield on Tuesday.

But Hale believes the prospect of playing No. 4 Pierce could serve as the necessary motivation for COC to play one of its best matches of the season.

``For me, it's the biggest (match). Anytime we play (Pierce coach) Nabil (Mardini), it's always a big deal,'' Hale said. ``This could be a nice hump for us to get over.''

Hale said Tuesday's win reminded him of how good COC could be, with sophomore outside hitter Breanna Trudeau - a Canyon High graduate who has committed to Cal State Fullerton - contributing 16 kills and 14 digs, and sophomore middle blocker Melissa Gillard recording 11 blocks.

``Everybody played well. There was a lot of intensity out there and it was fun,'' Hale said. ``We're a very athletic team and we need to get that same type of effort against Pierce. But (today's) practice is my first priority because before we worry about Pierce, we have to be more consistent on our side.''

--Renewing old acquaintances: Friday's match also will be a showcase of several of the top former high school players from the Santa Clarita Valley.

In addition to Trudeau, COC has five others who played at Hart, Valencia or Santa Clarita Christian. Pierce features former Saugus standout Lisa Sonnenblick and Hart product Kristin Gorman.

--Ready to go:-- Hooper had anticipated giving birth to her first child, Kira Grace, sometime between Saturday and Wednesday. But as of Wednesday afternoon, she and her husband, Garrett, were still waiting.

``She's bored,'' Hale said. ``(The baby is) ready to go and she's ready to have it.''

Hale said if the baby doesn't come on its own by Sunday, then labor will be induced.

In an effort to help Hooper pass the time, Hale has kept her involved with the program by having her update the team's statistics.

``When I get them back, she's usually attached a Post-It note telling me something,'' Hale said.

--Big turnaround: After both failing to qualify for the Southern California Regional playoffs last season, the COC men's and women's soccer teams are on the verge of securing postseason berths this season.

After finishing 6-8-4 last season, the men enter Friday's game at Glendale with an 11-3-3 record.

The COC women, who had an 8-5-5 mark last year, are 11-2-2 with three games remaining, beginning with Friday's contest at Bakersfield.