COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS NOTEBOOK: COC VOLLEYBALL IS ON THE RISE.Byline: Nathan Brown Nathan Brown may refer to:
Although the College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. women's volleyball team returns just two players this season, the Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, Valley's freshmen class has impressed coach Lisa Hooper hoop·er n. A maker or repairer of barrels and tubs; a cooper. . Hooper is hoping to improve on a 12-6 record and a second place Western State Conference finish last season - and even with a talented freshmen field, certainty remains elusive. ``I think that we have a good distribution of talent,'' Hooper said. ``We're not exceptional in one area, but we're solid in all.'' The team's returning players are Amber Davis from Corvalis, Ore., and Luz Rodriguez, a graduate of Sylmar High. Davis was a backup 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. last season, but she has handled increased playing time well, averaging nine assists per game so far. With an improvement on defense, Hooper expects her to be a big contributor this season. Rodriguez started partially last season as the team's middle blocker but has moved to outside hitter to highlight her quickness. ``(Outside hitter) is the most recruitable one for her at the university level,'' Hooper said. ``She's one of our faster players and a good blocker.'' Valencia graduate Sarah Ulmer Sarah Ulmer (born March 14 1976 in Auckland) is a New Zealand cyclist who won a Gold medal and set new world records at the 2004 Summer Olympics at Athens, the first New Zealander to win an Olympic cycling gold medal. has already made an impact as a starting outside hitter. Ulmer averaged more than three kills per game. ``Averaging more than three and a half is doing a pretty good job,'' Hooper said. ``She's coming out swinging and will be one of our bigger offensive threats.'' Ulmer has also impressed her teammates and has earned co-captain status along with Davis. Other contributors include Hart graduate Rachel Holbrook, who has shown good defensive skills, and redshirt freshman defensive specialist Nancy Villalobos (Sylmar High). --Let the games begin:The football team, the top-ranked program in the nation, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. J.C. Grid-Wire, opens up Western State Conference play on the road Saturday when it travels to Ventura for a 5 p.m. game at Larabee Stadium. ``If you can't get your guys up for the top team in the nation, well then, there's something wrong,'' Ventura coach Terry Morris said. Several teams have had the opportunity against the Cougars (2-0), the defending state and J.C. Grid-Wire national champions. Few, however, have had much, if any, success. Canyons has won 30 consecutive regular-season games, a streak that began nearly three years ago, and 16 in a row overall, dating back to last season. --Diamond in the rough: Although the women's cross-country team finished 10th overall at the Balboa Balboa, town (1990 pop. 2,751), Colón prov., in the former Panama Canal Zone, on the Gulf of Panama. The port for Panama City, Balboa was the administrative headquarters of the Panama Canal Zone. It was also the site of a U.S. navy base (closed 1999). Preview meet at UC San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. last Friday, sophomore Jessica Gomez finished third in a field of 157 runners with a time of 20 minutes, 7 seconds. ``She was tired and sore from training leading up to that race,'' coach Belinda Kane said. ``I thought she ran a very solid, smart race.'' Nathan Brown, (818) 713-3607 nate.brown(at)dailynews.com |
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