VOLLEYBALL PROGRAMS EXPANDING IN REGION.

Byline: Sharon Cotal Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Add volleyball to the list of sporting events and practices Santa Clarita parents will be chauffeuring their children to and from this fall.

The sport's popularity is exploding since its 1997 arrival in Valencia and is expanding into Saugus, and there are more leagues planned for Canyon Country and Castaic.

``We had so many people coming over from Saugus that we started a league over there, and we are expanding as fast as we can in the Santa Clarita area in order to accommodate all the kids who want to play,'' said United States Youth Volleyball League national clinician Veronica Sanchez.

Structured like the American Youth Soccer Organization, USYVL is a volunteer organization with parent coaches that offers a fun format and positive reinforcement, Sanchez said. Designed for boys and girls ages 8 to 14, USYVL makes volleyball easier by using lighter balls and lower nets, so the older kids can learn to do such things as spiking the ball.

``High school play in the area seems to be improving, because kids are getting an earlier start with the sport,'' Sanchez said.

Registration for the fall leagues, which will begin Sept. 15 and run through Nov. 10, is under way. The Valencia league meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Valencia Valley Elementary School, 23601 Carrizo Drive, Valencia. The Saugus league meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Highlands Elementary, 27332 N. Catala Ave., Saugus.

There are tournament-style games Saturdays where the kids enjoy competing against other kids, Sanchez said.

``They have a really good time. All of our coaches are trained to make it fun for the kids,'' Sanchez said.

For information or to register, call [phone].