VOLLEYBALL BEAT THE NEXT BIG THING?

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

There seems to be a surprise team every season in the Golden League, and this year it could be Palmdale's turn.

The Falcons finished fifth in league last season, but with six returning seniors back, it's no stretch to think Palmdale could make the playoffs for the first time in recent memory.

Third-year starting setter Joyce Bautista will be counted on for leadership, along with classmates Jennie Nua, Liz Davis, Lateela Joyner, Jennifer Thomas and Heather Davidson.

``It's definitely an advantage to have somebody with so much experience at that position,'' coach Colleen Nua said of Bautista. ``She gives us so much leadership and confidence. We expect a big year from her.''

To those six returning seniors, five of whom are starters, the Falcons add sophomore middle blockers Lisa Leggett and Helianna Plascentia, who will provide depth and help Nua prepare for the future.

``They've both shown quite a bit of improvement since last year in terms of their hitting skills and overall play,'' Nua said. ``They're both impressive players.''

Quartz Hill is considered the team to beat in the Golden League, with Highland of Palmdale and Littlerock usually in the playoff hunt as well.

THINKING BIG

It's much more of a trend than a coincidence, the idea that girls make a big jump in athletic ability and attitude when they return for their senior seasons.

That's certainly the case at Valencia this season, as Diva Kakonde has returned as perhaps one of the area's most improved players.

Last season, coach Ray Sanchez raved about Kakonde's potential but called her a raw talent. Over the course of the season she matured into one of the league's top players, and with an additional season of club volleyball with Thunder, she's now even better.

Sanchez said Kakonde, at 5-foot-11, has received scholarship offers from Wyoming, New Mexico, Cal State Northridge and UC Riverside, among other schools.

Kakonde will be counted on to lead a Valencia team that has aspirations of advancing deep into the playoffs.

The Vikings lost a five-game heartbreaker to Royal of Simi Valley in last season's second round but return middle blocker Tierra Burnley and Carolyn Cornelius, who moves from the middle to the outside.

Valencia should battle Saugus for the league title, but Burbank, last year's third-place team, could provide a scare.

``Everyone is a year older and a year stronger,'' Sanchez said. ``We don't just want to be a first-round team or a second-round team. We want to be a finals team.''

DOMINO EFFECT

When Chaminade of West Hills coach Tiffany Coe resigned to concentrate on getting a degree, she had no idea how many schools would be impacted, as her departure started a Valley coaching shuffle.

Chaminade replaced Coe with Dean Borth, the former Simi Valley coach.

Simi Valley replaced Borth with Peter Piexoto, the former Alemany of Mission Hills coach.

Alemany replaced Piexoto with Dan Rizzo, an assistant from Royal of Simi Valley who long had been looked at as a young rising star in the coaching community.

Things could get interesting for Rizzo, who will take his team to the Royal tournament later this month and could face off against his friend, Royal coach Travis Ferguson.

``Knowing Travis, he will probably find a way to get us in the same bracket,'' Rizzo said with a laugh.

MIXED EMOTIONS

Westlake of Westlake Village, ranked No. 1 by the Daily News, started strong with a first-place showing at the Ventura tournament, but the Warriors also suffered a significant loss.

A week before the start of the season, Westlake learned starter Jen Schlinz, expected to be one of the top hitters in the Marmonte League, was moving to Ohio, as her parents decided to retire and move the family.

``That was tough,'' coach Doug Magorien said, ``but we were able to come back and not let that affect us too much.''

The Warriors still have to be considered the favorites in league, largely because of the emergence of junior hitter Rachel Smith. She started last season on varsity but moved down to junior varsity. At 5-foot-10, she's a versatile and dangerous hitter.

``She's going to be special,'' Magorien said.

FORGOTTEN ONES

Despite the recent dominance in the Foothill League by the Santa Clarita Valley schools, Burbank coach Darin Wolf doesn't want people to forget about his team, which finished third last season.

The Bulldogs needed five games to defeat Simi Valley, which should be considered an inferior team talent-wise, but Wolf remains confident the Bulldogs can make the playoffs.

The Bulldogs return senior setter Lindsey Davenport, as well as senior hitter Jennifer Anderson and junior hitter Samantha Rivero.

``They have the right attitude, and when I took over, the attitude wasn't there,'' Wolf said.

``Unfortunately, I think the best we can hope for is third in this league. I only have one girl (Anderson) who plays club, and we just can't compete with those tall Santa Clarita girls who all have club experience.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) Palmdale's fortunate this season in the Golden League West with its seniors (from left): Joyce Bautista, Jennie Nua, Liz Davis, Lateela Joyner, Jennifer Thomas and Heather Davidson.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

(2) Tierra Burnley returns at middle blocker for Valencia, which should contend for the Foothill League title.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer

(3) Westlake's Rachel Smith.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

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