LITTLE BIT SOCCER, LITTLE BIT SOFTBALL; Q.H. COX SISTERS SHINE IN THEIR CHOSEN SPORTS.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Kellie Cox gets a real kick out of being Jodie Cox's sister.

Sophomore Kellie is a Quartz Hill High girls soccer star who also plays softball, while senior Jodie is a softball star who also plays soccer.

They swear there is no competition between them. But the Coxes offer plenty of competition to opponents in both sports.

Kellie's goal against favored Alemany with five minutes remaining on Thursday gave the Rebels a 1-1 tie and 2-2-3 record. She is a returning first-team All-Golden League halfback who as a freshman batted leadoff and played center field for Quartz Hill's Southern Section Division II-champion softball team.

Jodie's specialty in soccer is defense - she was a good enough sweeper to make second-team All-Golden League last year - but she has a national reputation in softball. The Cal State Fullerton signee won 25 games as a pitcher and led the region in home runs and RBI. She is the returning Daily News softball player of the year.

But it is soccer season right now, and Kellie is king.

``Kellie is definitely better in soccer,'' Jodie Cox said. ``That's OK with me. It has taken her a lot to get to where she is. I am always competitive in whatever sport I play (volleyball, too), but in soccer there is a little less pressure.''

One reason Kellie's sport is soccer is because she is most dedicated to it, having played on a club team for five years. Plus, Kellie is built more for speed, Jodie for power. Kellie is 5-foot-5, 120 pounds, while Jodie is 5-6, 130.

Soccer coach Maury Cauchon swears Kellie runs a 4.8 40-yard dash, putting her about one step behind most varsity football running backs.

Kellie uses her speed to her advantage in both sports. In soccer she combines her quickness with excellent ball skills and an accurate leg; in softball, she is a slap hitter and base-stealing threat.

``I think it is absolutely great that Kellie is doing so well in soccer,'' father Gary Cox said. ``This way, she does not have to go around in Jodie's shadow. But they are both very supportive of each other. Jodie enjoys seeing Kellie get some recognition.''

Gary Cox said the girls made a decision long ago which sport each would pursue most vigorously. That's why over the summer Kellie stuck with club soccer while Jodie perfected her softball skills.

However, Kellie is starting to shine in softball, too. She was the main pitcher and top hitter for Park View's senior softball all-star team that won 11 postseason games last summer. After Jodie graduates, Kellie probably will emerge as Quartz Hill High's main softball pitcher, along with Amanda Ricker.

For now, all Kellie wants to think about is soccer. Quartz Hill is the returning league champion, though continuing the trend might be tough, as rivals Highland and Lancaster both have improved.

``I like soccer a lot even though we're not doing as well as I had hoped,'' Kellie said. ``We just can't seem to the put the ball in the net.''

Kellie Cox chose soccer naturally.

``I think when we were little I just always liked soccer more,'' she said. ``I was always quick, and I could always run.''

Kellie Cox scored 12 goals last year, supporting Shauna Murray, who scored a school-record 31 but has moved on to UC Santa Barbara. Returner Julie Gold, a senior, has helped Kellie Cox pick up the slack. Quartz Hill looks to push its record over .500 on Monday. The team participates in the Hart High tournament. Then league season begins.

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PHOTO Kellie Cox (21), like her older sister, Jodie, excels in both soccer and softball at Quartz Hill High.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News