FOOTHILL TITLE UP FOR GRABS; ROYAL IS STILL KING OF MARMONTE; PACIFIC FEATURES TWO-WAY RACE.Byline: Rich Hammond Rich HammondLos Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer A look at the local teams: FOOTHILL LEAGUE Don't count on finding many meaningless matches once league play gets under way up in the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. . Four teams, including two with new coaches, have a chance of winning the Foothill League championship this season. Hart does not lack for challengers as it attempts to defend its league title, but the Indians are strong again despite the loss of four senior starters and the complications of having to adjust to a new coach, former Master's College History The Master's College was founded as Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary on May 25, 1927 to meet the need for a fundamental Baptist school on the West Coast. and Village Christian coach Scott Caulk caulk also calk v. caulked also calked, caulk·ing also calk·ing, caulks also calks v.tr. 1. . Hart returns all-league middle blocker Gina Casillas, a senior and the team's floor leader, and junior outside hitter Nicole Struka, a threat from anywhere on the court. Caulk is also counting on two sophomore hitters, Stacey Holbrook and Casey Boller (sister of former football star Kyle) for help in ball control and passing. Two seniors, Jenny Burrows Burrows is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was created by redistribution in 1957, and formally came into existence in the provincial election of 1958. The riding is located in the northern part of Winnipeg. and Tara Coe, handle the setting. ``It's going to take a few matches to get our legs under us and learn a new system,'' Caulk said. ``We should be strong at the net with hitting and blocking.'' Saugus and Valencia tied for second in the league last season, and each return three starters. 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. Jennifer Edwards and middle blocker Sara Foster lead Valencia, and Lauren Beasley provides help in the back row and with serving. The Vikings return seven seniors, including outside hitter Jenny Bader, and also expect contributions from juniors Jaime Csernay on the right side and Leann Curry, a strong digger, in the back row. ``We will have a lot of experience and we'll be strong defensively,'' second-year coach Ray Sanchez said. ``I wish we didn't have any weaknesses, but with the exception of Sara Foster, we are a little thin on offense, we don't have any powerful hitters.'' For Saugus, three seniors - middle blocker Kristi Carebeau, who has improved her passing, and outside hitters Jessica Burns and Renee Griffith - lead on offense, and coach Bobbie Estes has something of an unknown quantity in Courtney Reed Courtney Reed is a model who appeared in Playboy magazines in the late 1990s. Appearances in Playboy special editions
Former JV boys coach Dave Gutierrez takes over at Canyon and has three starters back: senior Melissa Prinslow, who Gutierrez calls probably the strongest hitter in the league, senior middle blocker Shayna Posthumus and senior setter Julianna Diaz. At 6-foot-3, junior Jolene Kollough also will see time at middle blocker. Burbank returns two starters and Burroughs will only carry nine varsity players but returns five, including three rotating setters in seniors Lauren Adams and Amy Yaeger and junior Angela Punaro. GOLDEN LEAGUE The only constant in the Golden League this summer was change, as three of the six programs took on new coaches, including two of the more successful teams in the recent past. At Highland, Tom Jones takes over for longtime coach Mike Bird, and although other coaches in the league have to respect the league-champion Bulldogs and their top returnee re·turn·ee n. 1. One who returns, as from a journey or to school after a long absence. 2. A person returning from military duty overseas. See Usage Note at -ee1. , outside hitter Brynn Olsson, all have designs on winning the league title themselves. ``You definitely can't count Highland out, and you really can't count anybody out,'' first-year Palmdale coach Jeff LeDuff said. ``In the summer everybody was experimenting with different lineups, but you could tell that it's just going to be a big dogfight.'' Palmdale has an impact player in senior setter Kelly Stein, who as the only returning starter for the Falcons will run the offense. ``She's very much a court leader, our quarterback out there,'' LeDuff said. ``She's one of the best setters in the league, if not the whole Valley area, and she got a lot of positive comments this summer.'' Palmdale has eight juniors and three sophomores, so if the Falcons suffer from inexperience Inexperience See also Innocence, Naïveté. Bowes, Major Edward (1874–1946) originator and master of ceremonies of the Amateur Hour on radio. [Am. , who will be there to pick up and be the main contender for the league title? Possibly Littlerock, led by senior middle blocker Jessica Ramos, or Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley , but surprisingly, Lancaster, a 4-10 team last season, will make a serious run at the playoffs. The Eagles, in only their third year of varsity play, will count on 6-foot junior middle blocker Tiffany Thompson, who coach Bruce Rucker says has improved after a summer of club ball in 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, . Senior outside hitter Nancy Hernandez is the team leader on the court and junior Laci Fults, last year's backup setter, will take on the starting job this season. Jason Peplinsky, who coaches the boys' volleyball program at Quartz Hill, takes over the girls' team this season but has only three returners and no starters back. Soccer/softball standout Kellie Cox and Stephanie Wigfall, both juniors, start at outside hitter, and sophomore Randi Cooper will handle the setting. ``Our advantage is that we have very athletic players like Kellie Cox, natural athletes,'' Peplinsky said. ``We did a goal sheet at the end of the summer, and we set making the CIF (1) (Common Intermediate Format) A standard video format used in videoconferencing. CIF formats are defined by their resolution, and standards both above and below the original resolution have been established. The original CIF is also known as Full CIF (FCIF). playoffs as one of our goals.'' MARMONTE LEAGUE The Marmonte League is a high school sports league primarily made up of schools from Ventura County. The Marmonte Leauge is part of the CIF Southern Section. Click here to view the league schedule. It very well could be Royal and everybody else again this year in the Marmonte League, but rival coaches and players aren't ready to concede the title to the Highlanders yet, although Royal returns three players from its CIF Division I-A championship team. ``We'll get 'em this year,'' Westlake setter Lauren Mills said. ``That's our goal.'' The Highlanders will not give up their reign easily. Five-foot-nine senior Michaela Skelly Skel´ly v. i. 1. To squint. n. 1. A squint. , a nationally recruited setter, and 5-11 senior outside hitter Kelli Lyons pick up the offense in the absence of graduated star Courtney Guerra. Senior Kari VanFleet enters her third year on varsity and moves from defensive specialist to outside hitter, and senior Amanda Kiser and junior Tanya Grover provide depth at the hitting positions. ``We have a real strong bench,'' said coach Bob Ferguson, who enters his 17th season at Royal. ``The biggest thing will be our ability to adjust against various teams while on the court.'' The Highlanders' biggest challenge will come from Westlake, which returns five starters. The Warriors don't have one dominating player, but have good balance with setters Lauren Mills and Tawny taw·ny n. A light brown to brownish orange. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman taune, variant of Old French tane, from past participle of taner, to tan; see tan Thorp, senior outside hitters Stacey Lee and Alexis Zarian and junior middle blocker Amanda Tapking. Two sophomores, Brenn Larson and Katie Meledy, provide depth at outside hitter. Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. returns setter Melody Eckmier and will push the top teams, while Agoura and Newbury Park will try to avoid the cellar. Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. and Moorpark will battle for a playoff spot. Thousand Oaks returns two senior starters in outside hitter Jen Corral corral a small fenced-in enclosure with high, wooden fences, suitable for holding cattle or horses. corral system a management system in which range cattle are put into corrals and fed hay for a period when the environment is most and middle hitter Erica Mahan, as well as two juniors in outside hitter Lisa Kennedy and middle blocker Moorpark returns four seniors in setter Briana Rogers, outside hitters Joy McGuire and Christy chris·ty n. Variant of christie. Daley and defensive specialist Amy Lafata. But the team is young at middle hitter with junior Kristin Nadas and sophomore Taryn Milburn. MISSION LEAGUE Rested, tanned and game-ready, Harvard-Westlake is ready to defend its Mission League title and Division III-A championship. The Wolverines spent last week in Hawaii, playing in the Iolani Tournament and enjoying the local scene. They competed against Newport Harbor and Santa Margarita Santa Margarita ("Saint Margaret") may refer to:
``It was a good experience, and we definitely got the Hawaiian treatment,'' coach Jess Quiroz said. The Wolverines shouldn't expect such nice treatment in the Mission League this year. Louisville, Flintridge Sacred Heart The Sacred Heart is a religious devotion to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of the divine love for humanity This devotion is predominantly used in the Roman Catholic Church and also used in the Anglican Church. and Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame all have the talent to push Harvard-Westlake. Harvard-Westlake returns nine players, including starters Courtney Schultz at middle hitter, Kelly Ayers at middle blocker and Ashley Julian at setter. The Wolverines also have talented youth with two hitters, junior Anna Nesser and sophomore Karolyn Kuchenbecker. ``I'm thinking of putting Courtney outside and putting somebody else in the middle because she is so strong,'' Quiroz said. ``I think the league is going to be exceptionally tough this year.'' Louisville will put a scare into Harvard-Westlake. The Royals finished fifth in the league last season, but return all six starters and feature three seniors (middle blockers Lauryn Leach and Angelina Gerardo and setter Darcy Pollan Pol´lan n. 1. (Zool.) A lake whitefish (Coregonus pollan), native of Ireland. In appearance it resembles a herring. ) and three juniors (outside hitters Collleen Hamlin and Megan O'Connell and opposite hitter Jessica Kirby). But to topple Harvard-Westlake, Louisville will first have to get past Flintridge Sacred Heart, which brings back five starters but will be hurt by the loss of outside hitter/setter Megan Hosp, who is now at South Carolina South Carolina, state of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW). Facts and Figures Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km). Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15. . If the Tologs can fill that offensive hole, watch out. Senior outside hitter Brynne Young is one of the most athletic players in the area, and setter Gloria Borges and middle blocker Sarah Skeehan both return for a second year as starters. The rest of the league will be just as competitive. Chaminade returns two starters but will struggle to keep up with Notre Dame and Alemany in the battle for the final playoff spot. Notre Dame lost four senior starters but will be strong up front with senior middle blocker Sara Plummer, junior setter Mary Claire Coughlan and senior outside hitter Sarah Braga. Alemany, led by new coach Peter Piexoto, has six returning players and will be led by seniors Gina Zambetti at setter and Coral Florian at outside hitter. PACIFIC LEAGUE If summer league is any indication, Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. and Arcadia will battle all the way until the end of the regular season to determine who comes out on top. ``We played them two times in the summer, and we split,'' Crescenta Valley coach Jennifer Kunz said. ``The first time neither team had all of our top players, and we lost, and in the second match they didn't have some of their players and we won, so we're expecting a tough battle this season.'' Crescenta Valley, which finished second to Arcadia in the league last season and lost in the second round of the CIF Division I-AA playoffs, returns three key players up front and will be strong at the net. Senior Mele Misi, a senior right-side hitter, returns for her third season as a varsity starter. Junior Kallie Greatwood moves from the middle to outside hitter, and junior setter Marci English also returns. Senior outside hitter Erica Lange is one of the team's strongest diggers Diggers, members of a small English religio-economic movement (fl. 1649–50), so called because they attempted to dig (i.e., cultivate) the wastelands. They were an offshoot of the more important group of Puritan extremists known as the Levelers. , and juniors Dancin Gastelum and Megan Morris provide depth and strength at middle blocker and will be key to the team's success. ``I think we will have a good, strong team,'' Kunz said. ``Our two outside hitters can pass the ball well, and we've been working on our passing and setting more than our hitting and blocking.'' Expect Arcadia to field a strong team once again, and the third playoff spot in the Pacific League is not assured to any team. Pasadena, last year's last-place team, returns three starters, as does Muir and Glendale, and Hoover will have to come together quickly to match last year's third-place finish Noun 1. third-place finish - a finish in third place (as in a race) finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the winner is the team with the . Tami Matteson, who coached the girls' junior varsity team For the American rock band, see . In sports, usually at the high school and college levels, members of a team who are not the main players in a competition (such as a football or basketball game) are called junior varsity players. at Hoover last season, will be reunited "Reunited" was a #1 hit in the United States in 1979 by the Washington, D.C.-based group Peaches & Herb. Preceded by "Heart of Glass" by Blondie Billboard Hot 100 number one single May 5 1979 Succeeded by "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer with many of her former players. The Tornadoes lost 11 of their 12 players from last year - nine graduated seniors and three juniors who decided not to play this season. Senior outside hitter Cori Herbert is the only returning starter and will have to provide leadership for the young team, along with junior middle blocker Januari Chapman and senior setter Evelyn Crowder. OTHERS Village Christian went 16-2 last season and fell only two matches shy of winning the CIF Division IV-A championship, losing in the semifinals to Marlborough. Four starters return this season, and the junior-dominated team wants to complete the run this time. The Crusaders lost middle blocker and team leader Errin Benesh to graduation, but leave the offense in the hands of junior setter Heather Fieldsteel, a first-team All-Alpha League selection last year. Outside hitters Maria Abaca and Jana Fristad also return to a team that has eight juniors on the roster. ``We don't have one star player like we did last year with Errin, but I think we feel better as a team,'' coach Bill Schnobrich said. ``A lot of these girls got experience in big games while they were sophomores last season, so that should help us a lot.'' Village Christian's only two seniors are outside hitter Laura Brandt and defensive specialist Kristin Lashever. Elizabeth Stucki and Robin Pierce, both up from the junior varsity team, will handle the middle as the Crusaders battle Paraclete and L.A. Baptist for the Alpha League title. ``A lot of our girls played club together, which will be a big help,'' Schnobrich said. ``Plus they just seem to enjoy playing with each other. We will be a predominantly outside attacking team, hopefully with good defense and good ball handling.'' At Paraclete, coach Margaret Neill is concerned with her offense after the departure of middle blocker Christine Lambert, who received a scholarship to play for Connecticut. But the Spirits do return four starters, including junior Jennifer Panek, a second-year starter at setter, senior outside hitter Erika Hernandez Captain Erika Hernandez, portrayed by Ada Maris, is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe, introduced in the episode, "Home". Hernandez is the second Starfleet captain given command of a starship in Earth's Warp 5 program, and is assigned to and junior middle blocker Jennifer Houseman as they try to build on their second-place finish Noun 1. second-place finish - a finish in second place (as in a race) runner-up finish finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the in league play last season. ``Right now we are trying to be more consistent and do better with our ball placement,'' Neill said. ``We don't have any real strong hitters, but team unity is going to be a big thing for us.'' Grace Brethren finished second in the Heritage League last year but will move up, as defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre Faith Baptist has lost all six starters. The Lancers lanc·er n. 1. A cavalryman armed with a lance. 2. A member of a regiment originally armed with lances. 3. lancers (used with a sing. verb) a. A kind of quadrille. b. , who won the league title in 1997, return senior outside hitter Heidi Zeigler Heidi Zeigler (born March 26, 1979) was an American child actress in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In Rags to Riches, she played the role of Mickey, the youngest of a group of six orphan girls, who were adopted by businessman Nick Foley to create a family man image. , the league MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. , and junior middle blocker Natalia Durso, a first-team all-league selection. Campbell Hall Campbell Hall can refer to:
Also a contender for a playoff run is La Canada, which lost coach Ted Grissom but returns two team leaders in setter Tracy Neumeier and outside hitter Kelly Gaudino. In the Frontier League The Frontier League, based in Troy, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States and Western Pennsylvania. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either. , Charles Gage takes over as coach at Calabasas for David Arone, who accepted an assistant coaching job with the USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. women's team. The Coyotes will be challenged for the league title by Malibu, which reached the semifinals in Division IV-A last season and returns second-team All-CIF pick Katie Phelps, a senior outside hitter. La Reina La Reina (Spanish: "The queen") is a commune of Chile located in Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. It consistently ranks in the top five communes with the best quality of life in the Metropolitan Region. , which returns its two best players in outside hitter Jennifer Ryan and setter Ashlie Hain, goes for its sixth consecutive Tri-Valley League championship. The Regents reached the second round in Division IV-AA last season, and also return junior outside hitters Lacy Ertel, an all-league selection as a sophomore, and Kristen Ward, the team's only senior. Coach Don Hyatt also has two unknown factors in junior outside hitter Chelsea Simpson, a transfer from Montclair Prep, and freshman setter Katie Kellogg. This season can only be better for Vasquez, which finished 0-20 last year. Coach Buck Weber's team returns seniors April Brown at outside hitter and Jenna Deltart at defensive specialist and setter, but lacks the ability to compete with Desert and Rosamond in the High Desert League. LEAGUE FORECASTS Foothill League 1. Saugus 2. Hart 3. Valencia 4. Canyon 5. Burroughs 6. Burbank Golden League 1. Highland 2. Palmdale 3. Lancaster 4. Littlerock 5. Quartz Hill 6. Antelope Valley Marmonte League 1. Royal 2. Westlake 3. Thousand Oaks 4. Moorpark 5. Simi Valley 6. Newbury Park 7. Agoura Pacific League 1. Crescenta Valley 2. Arcadia 3. Hoover 4. Muir 5. Glendale 6. Pasadena Mission League 1. Harvard-Westlake 2. Louisville 3. Notre Dame 4. Flintridge-Sacred Heart 5. Alemany 6. Chaminade TOP 10 1. HARVARD-WESTLAKE Already starting strong 2. ROYAL Travels to H-W on Sept. 14 3. WESTLAKE Two great setters in Mills, Thorp 4. LA REINA Ryan and Hain an imposing duo 5. FLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART Hard hitter in Young 6. SAUGUS Leaders in improved Foothill League 7.LOUISVILLE Return all six starters 8. HART New coach, same success? 9. CRESCENTA VALLEY Will be pushed in league 10. HIGHLAND See Hart TOP PLAYERS 1. Jennifer Ryan, La Reina, MB - ``J.R.'' can shoot with the best 2. Courtney Schultz, Harvard-Westlake, OH - Only a sophomore 3. Michaela Skelly, Royal, S - Deciding on Div. I offers 4. Brynne Young, Flintridge Sacred Heart, OH - Can put scare in H-W 5. Kelly Ayers, Harvard-Westlake, MD - First-team All-CIF SUPERLATIVES Strongest hitter: Courtney Schultz, Harvard-Westlake Best blocker: Tiffany Thompson, Lancaster Best jumper: Andreja Balach, Royal Smartest: Erica Mahan, Thousand Oaks Best leader: Ashley Hain, La Reina Best digger: Stacey Lee, Westlake Fastest: Ruth HoKum, Thousand Oaks Division I-bound: Michaela Skelly, Royal Quirkiest: Megan Morris, Crescenta Valley. Everything has to be in even numbers, including the numer on her back (4) and the number of pushups the team does in practice. BIG GAMES 1. Royal at Harvard-Westlake, Sept. 14 2. Westlake at Royal, Oct. 5 3. Lancaster at Highland, Oct. 12 4. Crescenta Valley at Arcadia, Oct. 15 5. Hart at Saugus, Oct. 28 KEY DATES Season starts: Sept. 9 League play begins: Oct. 5 City Playoffs: Nov. 8, 10, 16 Southern Section Playoffs: Nov. 10, 12, 14, 17 City Championship: Nov. 19 Southern Section Championships: Nov. 19-20 CAPTION(S): 3 photos, 7 boxes PHOTO (1 -- color--) Gina Casillas Daily News File Photo (2 -- color --) Kelly Ayers Daily News File Photo (3 -- color --) Ashlie Hain John Lazar/Staff Photographer BOX: (1) Others (see text) (2) League Forecasts (see text) (3) Top 10 (see text) (4) Top Players (see text) (5) Superlatives (see text) (6) Big Games (see text) (7) Key Dates (see text) |
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