GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL: CAULK RETURNS TO HART, THIS TIME ON VARSITY : FORMER JV COACH TO LEAD GIRLS' TEAM.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

Scott Caulk will be entering his first season as girls' volleyball coach at Hart High, but he's certainly no stranger to the program.

In 1988, Caulk served as the junior varsity boys' coach under varsity coach Linda Peckham. Caulk went on to coach at Village Christian High, The Master's College and Cornerstone College in Michigan, while Peckham became the Hart girls' athletic director.

Eleven years later Caulk is back, hired by Peckham to lead the girls' program.

``I didn't come back for the job, I came back to live in this area and I was lucky that the opening came up,'' said Caulk, who now resides in Newhall. ``I'm very happy to be back, because Hart has obviously demonstrated the commitment to winning and teaching the athletes as well.''

Caulk inherits a team that won the Foothill League title last season and returns two strong hitters in seniors Gina Casillas and Nicole Stuka.

``I'm real encouraged, because I think we have a lot of talent,'' Caulk said. ``This year we're going to try to establish a new identity, and I think I'm going to enjoy working with these girls.''

On the job for less than two months, Caulk is pleased with what limited exposure he has had to the team.

``We're strong at the net with hitting and blocking,'' Caulk said. ``If we can pass the ball we're going to be pretty tough to beat, but if we struggle with passing, we're probably going to struggle all year long.

``But we're deep and talented, with a lot of good athletes.''

Developing news: Canyon returns three starters to a team that tied for second in league last season, but coach Bobbie Estes is more impressed with the development of two seniors who didn't see much starting time.

Middle blocker Kristi Carebeau and setter Jenny Hastings are expected to play key roles for Canyon this season, and Estes said they have improved greatly since last season.

``They both spent some time playing club ball with the Santa Clarita Athletic Club, and wow, does it show,'' Estes said. ``Kristi wasn't a very good passer last year, but she really seems to be taking on a leadership role, and now she doesn't have to go off the court in a defensive situation.

``Jenny is real petite and elegant, she looks like a dancer, and last year she didn't have a lot of confidence. But she's always had strong hands, and she's a great athlete, so right now she's just starting to develop.''

Canyon will not start a player over 6-foot this season, so Estes is looking to compensate with good communication on the court.

``We have great teamwork and the girls get along real well,'' Estes said. ``We have some small back-row people who have no desire to play up front, so they will do a good job of filling a defensive role.''

Tightening up: Valencia returns three starters - seniors Sara Foster, Jennifer Edwards and Lauren Beasley - and second-year coach Ray Sanchez will look to tighten up his team's defense.

``We should be pretty good,'' Sanchez said.

``We're not as hard hitting as we were last season, but we're improving on defense and ball control.

``The summer league has been tough, because with vacations and everything, I haven't once yet had all of my girls together for a practice.''

In the club: The Santa Clarita Athletic Club offers four volleyball camps next month for boys and girls ages 10-18.

The camps will be held over two weeks, Aug. 2-5 and Aug. 9-12, with morning and afternoon sessions each week.

The camps will be directed by former Canyon girls volleyball coach Dean Conk, now a coach with the SCAC Volleyball Club.

Cost is $60 per session or $110 for two sessions. Information: [phone], ext. 226.