VOLLEYBALL NOTEBOOK: H.-W.'S REYES RELAXES.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

For the first time all year, Harvard-Westlake High of Studio City girls' volleyball player Dana Reyes can kick her feet up and relax.

For the next two weeks, that is.

Reyes, like other volleyball players who juggle club-team schedules with high school commitments, is in relax mode after finishing the club season two weeks ago. Reyes, who plays for the Santa Monica Beach Club 17-1 team, is off until August, when she reports for Harvard-Westlake workouts.

And she is looking forward to the down time.

``This is really the only time I have off all year, so I am definitely grateful for the break,'' Reyes said.

Reyes wrapped up her nine-month club season at the Davis Festival two weeks ago, but when she returned home, she reported to the Harvard-Westlake middle-school volleyball camp, where she works as a camp helper.

Now it's time to unplug.

``It's a good feeling,'' Reyes said.

Reyes and the Wolverines immediately will set their sights on Hawaii when practice resumes. The team heads to the islands for its annual tropical getaway, but the players will spend two weeks there rather than the usual one week.

The Wolverines are expected to participate in at least two tournaments in preparation for next season.

``It's always a fun trip and a great bonding experience for the players,'' said Reyes, who is making her third visit. ``They keep us pretty busy during the day with volleyball, but at night we get to walk around and hang out. I mean, it is Hawaii, so you really can't go wrong.''

--European vacation: Taft of Woodland Hills girls' coach Arman Mercado isn't worried about standout Danielle Fernandes losing her edge during her family vacation to Europe. Fernandes returns home July 28, just in time for the Toreadors to play in the Moorpark tournament.

Mercado is confident Fernandes will stay in shape. She is one of the Toreadors' hardest workers, and the fact she will be walking around so much should ensure she'll stay in great shape.

Besides, Fernandes knows that Mercado's dreaded 8-minute mile litmus test awaits upon her return.

``The 8-minute mile is still in effect,'' Mercado said, laughing. ``If you want to play at Taft, you have to run the mile in eight minutes or less. My players know me well enough to know I don't like to spend a lot of time on conditioning during practice. When we get on the court, I want the focus to be on volleyball, not getting in shape.''

Mercado doesn't have to worry about Fernandes, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker. Heading into her senior year, Fernandes is one of the region's most highly recruited players.

``She works out constantly,'' Mercado said. ``Just look at her body, she's all muscles.''

--National scene: Three local incoming sophomores participated in the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic Championships in Phoenix on July 2-9. Kyle Briggs (Harvard-Westlake) played on the Riptides 16-and-under team that was the Silver champion (ninth overall) in the Club division.

Alex Miller (Harvard-Westlake) and Gil Weintraub (Montclair Prep of Panorama City) played on the Pacific Palisades Volleyball club team that finished 13th in the 15-and-under division.

Miller and Weintraub were selected to participate in the elite USA Volleyball High Performance Development Camp this past week at Long Beach State with 50 other players from around the country. At the camp, Weintraub received the Most Improved Player award.

Vincent Bonsignore, [phone]

vincent.bonsignore(at)dailynews.com