VOLLEYBALL NOTEBOOK TEAMS CAN EXPECT ROYAL TREATMENT.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

So far, La Reina's plan to boost its schedule has been a qualified success.

The Regents had a successful trip to Hawaii, where they placed fifth in the Iolani Tournament, competing among some of the country's top teams. The competition at home has not been as tough as coach Don Hyatt had hoped.

Hyatt wanted to bolster his team's early season schedule, because the Tri-Valley League doesn't hold much competition for the Regents.

La Reina was able to schedule three Marmonte League teams - Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake - and several other local teams that are traditionally strong, but the Regents came away somewhat disappointed.

``We didn't get as much of a challenge as I would have hoped from some of those teams,'' Hyatt said. ``Nordhoff was really down, and we owed Malibu a match because they helped us out last year when we had an opening. But nobody told me they lost 10 players from last year.''

Even Westlake, considered the favorite to win the Marmonte League, fell in three games, though beating the Regents will be no easy task.

Middle blocker Jennifer Ryan and setter/outside hitter Ashlie Hain led the Regents to the quarterfinals of the Division IV-AA playoffs last year, and all but one player return from that team.

The Regents will surely get a challenge today, when they compete in the 20-team Royal Tournament, competing in the same group as Oxnard, Moorpark and Chaminade. The tournament also features top area teams such as Hart, La Canada, Louisville, Saugus, Thousand Oaks and Westlake.

``I think we were in a little lull when we got back from Hawaii, but now things are fine,'' Hyatt said. ``It took a little while to adjust to school and everything else.''

--Good news: Two weeks ago, Highland outside hitter Brynn Olsson was too sick to attend class, out of action with a case of mononucleosis.

Olsson is back in action in time for the start of Golden League play on Tuesday. Coach Emmir Surur said Olsson is feeling the effects of the illness, but is healthy enough to play.

``She's made a pretty good recovery,'' Surur said. ``She didn't practice with us for about a week, but she's almost back to 100 percent.''

Highland has played only two matches and recently went two weeks without facing competition when a schedule conflict forced cancelation of a match against Canyon.

``It was a lot of down time,'' Surur said. ``We were able to give them a little time off, and have some short practices.''

Highland, defending league champion, opens with Palmdale at home on Tuesday, and is expected to face its biggest challenge for the title from Quartz Hill.

--Tight race: Play also begins Tuesday in the Foothill League, which is as unpredictable as ever.

The early favorite should come out of Thursday's match between Valencia and Hart, but Saugus and Canyon also are capable of contending for the league title.

``It's going to be tough,'' said Hart coach Shannon Martin. ``There are certain factors that would suggest that one or two teams are the teams to beat, but you just never know.

``I really think any team is capable of winning any match in this league.''

CAPTION(S):

Sports

Different version ran in SAC edition, p. 5; Shorter version ran in Conejo and Simi edition, p. 2

Photo:

(ran in Conejo edition only) Area player of the year Jennifer Ryan has returned to La Reina High after a successful all-star season.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer