HARD WORK SERVES HER WELL S.C. CHRISTIAN STAR SHINES AS TEAM PREPARES FOR FINAL.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - Jenna Mardesich of Santa Clarita Christian High wasn't exactly a natural in girls' volleyball.

``When she first started, I don't think she could hit the ball over the net,'' coach Darcy Brown said.

But Mardesich did have a passion for the game - combined with a lot of hard work over the past four years - and now she's among the region's most effective middle blockers, regardless of division.

After coming up with several key kills down the stretch during Tuesday's Southern Section Division V-AA semifinal victory over rival Grace Brethren of Simi Valley, Mardesich figures to be the key if Santa Clarita Christian (17-2) is to upset top-seeded Hesperia Christian (15-4) in the championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cypress College.

``Before ninth grade, I never played any sports at all. I couldn't do anything,'' Mardesich said. ``But I just fell in love with volleyball. Now volleyball is pretty much my life.''

It helps that Mardesich is 6-foot-1. She's an intimidating force both offensively and defensively, and she leads Santa Clarita in both kills and blocks. She's helped Santa Clarita Christian advance to a girls' volleyball final for the first time in school history.

``Jenna has just improved so much,'' Brown said. ``She's a total threat who consistently blocks the other team, just a great asset. Plus, she's got a pretty wicked serve. She just started serving a few weeks ago, and she had seven aces in a row against Pilgrim (of Los Angeles). At that point we figured, `Wow, maybe she should start serving all the time.' ''

She's also managed to find time to master basketball, earning second- team all-league honors as a junior last winter.

Mardesich also has developed into one of the team's spiritual leaders, and for Brown that's just an important as spikes and service aces.

``Jenna is just a bubbly person. Usually when the other players get down, Jenna is positive for the duration,'' Brown said. ``If she does get frustrated - and everyone does at some point - she pulls herself right back and remains upbeat and regroups after about a minute. She's just got a real good attitude the way she encourages everyone else on the team. She keeps it fun, yet makes everyone else work harder.

``You take away the talent, and you're left with the person, and Jenna is still a great person.''

Also an avid horseback rider, Mardesich owned a horse named Helena but had to give her up when the family moved to Saugus.

``We kept her in a stable for a while in Canyon Country, but it just got too expensive,'' she said.

Eventually, Mardesich hopes to play volleyball in college, perhaps at Pepperdine or Westmount.

But for now, her primary focus is defeating Hesperia Christian. That won't be easy because Hesperia Christian is the defending section champion and has won four titles since 1995, and it was a state finalist in 1996.

``Actually, I think we have a good shot. We've worked really hard for this,'' she said.

S. SEC. DIV. V-AA CHAMPIONSHIP

Who: Santa Clarita Christian vs. Hesperia Christian

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Cypress College

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

Santa Clarita Christian girls' volleyball player Jenna Mardesich overcame early struggles to become the best player for the Cardinals.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) S. SEC. DIV. V-AA CHAMPIONSHIP (see text)

(2) SANTA CLARITA CHRISTIAN ROSTER