NO CLUB, NO PROBLEM; POLY GIRLS GO TO 3-0.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer

Gaby Gallardo considers herself a good high school volleyball player. She knows she could be even better if she could play club.

She also knows she can't afford to.

Gallardo, a 5-foot-8 Poly High School junior, has been asked twice to join area clubs such as Valley Thunder, but the cost, around $300 a month, is too high.

Fortunately, Poly has an extensive summer program of which Gallardo and her teammates take advantage. It isn't as in-depth or intense as club, but it does the job.

``It was a good experience,'' Gallardo said after she had eight kills in 15 attempts Tuesday to help Poly beat Verdugo Hills 15-1, 15-3, 15-6. Angie Soto added seven of the team's 13 service aces.

Poly (3-0) long has been a respectable City Section 3-A program, having reached the semifinals twice (including last year) and the final once in the past nine years.

Sometimes, Gallardo and others wonder how much better they could be with club experience. Back-row player Alma Delin said she is trying to save money to join, but it's hard.

``I know I'd improve even more,'' Gallardo said, echoing her teammates. ``It's my No. 1 priority, other than school.''

Setter Adina Mori, one player who has played club for 5-1/2 years, first at San Gabriel Volleyball Club and then at Valley Thunder, understands the cost problems.

``It could run you thousands (of dollars), depending on how many tournaments you go to and if you go to Davis at the end of the year,'' Mori said.

Poly coach Jim Ikeda feels for his players, which is why he helped start a summer program nine years ago.

The program, which Ikeda started with Sylmar coach Bob Thomson and Van Nuys' Dave Bessler, was simple: Three or four times a week, the team would play together and get instruction. Best of all, it was free.

This summer, Poly and Sylmar shared each other's gyms on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (Van Nuys dropped out a few years ago, after it won its first City title).

``The advantage is we played a little more during the summer,'' Ikeda said. ``The point is to give them more opportunities to touch the ball. The main thing is they're playing more.''

The program always has been optional, but for players like Gallardo and Delin, it has been necessary and positive. Gallardo improved her approach to the net, and Delin worked on her serving and digging.