CORPENING DOES IT HIS WAY QUARTZ HILL VOLLEYBALL STAR TAKES CHARGE IN LIFE, ON COURT.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

QUARTZ HILL - Jared Corpening's maturation process is remarkable, culminating in a volleyball scholarship to Cal State Northridge.

He's become serious about school, taking college-level classes to prepare for his CSUN education. He played his way to a Division I school at the club volleyball level.

But when he's on the court, Corpening's old self is still evident.

``I like to have fun and get in the other team's head and hope it works. Play my game and not let anybody else get to me,'' said Corpening, a 6-foot-9 middle blocker at Quartz Hill High. ``I'm just a guy that likes to be fired up and talk smack.''

Corpening's flamboyance at times can serve as motivation for himself and his Rebels teammates. But other times, it aggravates his coaches.

Corpening spent two years attending Highland High, working and sometimes clashing with then volleyball coach Mike Bird.

But both Corpening and Quartz Hill coach Jason Peplinski credited the now-departed Bird for giving Corpening some direction.

Peplinski also sees a more toned down Corpening this season compared to his junior year.

``As much as (Corpening) was off the handle, Mike did a pretty good job of controlling that and channeling that in the right direction,'' Peplinski said. ``By the time he got here, he'd grown up quite a bit. So I didn't have as much of the problems as I was forewarned of.''

Corpening's emotional demeanor was evident during a successful basketball career at Quartz Hill. But Peplinski sees Corpening's antics as a positive one for the volleyball team.

``The nice thing with Jared . . . he's focused more of his attention to instead of talking under the net to talking on our side of the net,'' Peplinski said.

``He doesn't do as much under the net talking and taunting. I'm sure some of it still goes on. He's doing a better job of getting a good block or kill to celebrate with our team rather than celebrate (toward) the other team.''

Until the past two years, Corpening's first love was basketball. But when he first met with Peplinski following his transfer, the coach told Corpening he'd get a scholarship by his senior year.

Peplinski predicted to Sahael Almuallem, Corpening's teammate, that he too would be a Division I player. Almuallem, who signed with UCLA, didn't believe the coaches words would prove prophetic.

``Jared always believed he could do it, I think,'' Peplinski said.

Bird helped Corpening get excited about volleyball during his Highland experience.

Peplinski, a fierce competitor himself, continued to inspire Corpening, whose height has made him one-half of a devastating middle combination with the 6-8 Almuallem.

Both of Quartz Hill's big men played basketball, helping the Rebels to back-to-back Golden League championships. Corpening almost wishes he could have concentrated on one sport.

`I don't know where I'd be if I just stayed with basketball or if I just played volleyball. I might have been going somewhere else,'' Corpening said.

Corpening's experience gained at the club level in the Los Angeles area, along with an assist from Peplinski for selling his ability to colleges, convinced CSUN to offer a scholarship.

Corpening is anxious to graduate and start his collegiate career. Peplinski still feels Corpening's best volleyball is ahead of him if he's willing to keep working hard.

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Photo: Jared Corpening concentrates while returning a shot during Quartz Hill's match with Lancaster High.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer