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Published on 09/11/1995 All articles from this issue

Prep volleyball preview

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By Andy Nystrom

Town Crier Sports Editor

St. Francis High girls set to defend '94 titles

Los Altos, Mtn. View and Pinewood also field strong squads

Just like its strongest feature, St. Francis High's volleyball team is "set" to take on the Central Coast Section and statewide competition this year.

And the Lancers' two All-American senior setters, Roz Pelayo and Vicki Viso, should lead the way. Last year, the pair figured prominently in helping St. Francis (38-3) net Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division, state and CCS titles.

According to Coach Dave Gambelin, Pelayo has great hands, quickness and ball control, while Viso is an excellent leaper and hitter. "(Roz) might be the best all-around setter on the Peninsula and (Vicki) the best all-around athlete. I guess we're kind of spoiled with setters."

St. Francis has solid players at other positions as well, namely all-state seniors Jamey Scritchfield (outside hitter) and Shelley Glennon (middle blocker-outside hitter). Gambelin praised Scritchfield's passing and Glennon's blocking and leaping skills.

Other important Lancers are senior Julie Hansen and sophomores Niki Hartley and Desiree Rook. While St. Francis has a wealth of experienced players, it does come up short in the height category. To make up for size, the Lancers - most of whom are under 6 feet tall - will try to spread out their offense and create one-on-one situations to be effective.

"We're not as powerful in the front row (as before). We'll rely on defense, ball control and smart play," said Gambelin, who has coached the Lancers to two straight state titles and four CCS crowns in the past five years.

St. Francis home schedule:

Sept. 21 - Mountain View

Sept. 28 - Lynbrook

Oct. 10 - Homestead

Oct. 17 - Los Altos

Oct. 18 - Sacred Heart Prep

Oct. 24 - Milpitas

Nov. 2 - Los Gatos

All matches 7 p.m.

LOS ALTOS

Over at Los Altos, first-year coach Paul Lyles and his Eagles are trying to find a groove.

In the recent Milpitas Tournament, the team - which finished with a 2-2 record - utilized two different formations: a 5-1 (five hitters, one setter) and a 6-2 (six hitters, two setters). "We're still trying to fit in our personnel so there are no weak rotations," the coach said.

Although most of the Eagles don't have much court experience - four seniors graduated last year - they are a talented group.

Los Altos' senior leaders are setter-outside hitter Alison Burch (good all-around skills) and outside hitters Jayme Fulford (strong passing) and Camille Hansen (tough defense).

But it is a pair of juniors that is Los Altos' main offensive threat: outside hitters Kristi Winters and Becca Saenz. "When we need a kill, we'll go to them," Lyles said.

Lyles, who previously coached at Willow Glen High and Foothill College, feels his squad will fare well in the SCVAL De Anza Division, which includes always-tough St. Francis and Los Gatos. "It will probably be us and Los Gatos going for No. 2," he said.

Last year, Los Altos (21-8) finished third in league and made it through to the CCS semifinals before losing to Mitty.

Los Altos home schedule:

Sept. 26 - St. Francis

Oct. 3 - Los Gatos

Oct. 12 - Milpitas

Oct. 19 - Homestead

Oct. 26 - Mountain View

Nov. 2 - Lynbrook

All matches 7 p.m.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Mountain View began its season with a bang, winning the Bronze Division at the Milpitas Tournament and defeating Overfelt 15-1, 15-2, 15-10 last Thursday.

Coach Randy Ranoa, in his inaugural year at Mountain View after stints at Mitty and Los Gatos, attributes the Spartans' early success to a great attitude.

"At the tournament, it was the first time we were together as a team. We were just trying to find out how to work together," he said. Ranoa was impressed with how the team came back from a 7-0 deficit to beat Presentation in the Bronze final.

Leading the way for Mountain View is its hard-working senior crew, which includes outside hitters Ashley Fay and Lisa Wurm, defensive specialist Cynthia Sam and middle blocker Carlie Ware.

Ranoa will especially be counting on Sam for her tough back-row play. "We're working quite a bit on defense. She hustles and is a consistent passer," he said.

Other top players are sophomore setter Jodie Antypas, who anchors the Spartans' 5-1 offense, and junior outside hitter Kristi Lezchuk. "(Kristi) is an outstanding hitter. She's going to be a really good player," Ranoa said.

Mountain View home schedule:

Today - Menlo, 5 p.m.

Sept. 19 - Milpitas

Sept. 26 - Homestead

Oct. 4 - Leigh

Oct. 5 - Los Altos

Oct. 12 - St. Francis

Oct. 19 - Los Gatos

Oct. 31 - Lynbrook

All matches 7 p.m. unless noted

PINEWOOD

The Pinewood Panthers, led by first-year varsity coach Bernadette Diepenbrock, will have their work cut out for them this season.

"It's a rebuilding year. We're younger than last year and not as experienced," the coach said.

And 1994 was a big year for the Panthers. Bolstered by graduating senior Kirsten Wayman, Pinewood notched its first-ever league championship and finished with an 18-9 record.

This time out, '95 seniors Jennifer Arton and Marisa Gardner will take the Panthers' reins.

Arton is a 5-foot-11 aggressive middle blocker, big hitter and go-to player, and Gardner is a setter and court leader, Diepenbrock said. "The younger players look up to both girls. They keep everything in check, and balance everything out."

Other important players in Pinewood's 5-1 offense are steady junior passer Tracy Hirai, powerful freshman outside hitter Lauren Smith-Hams, freshman middle blocker Angie Riches and senior outside hitters Andrea Hajjarian and Kyoko Fuke.

In two recent preseason matches the Panthers beat Crystal Springs 16-14, 15-6, 3-15, 15-8 and lost to Lick-Wilmerding 11-15, 9-15.

As far as team goals for this year, Diepenbrock said the girls hope to win at least half their league games and qualify for the CCS playoffs. "If Marisa and Jennifer are patient they can lead the team farther than they expect. They've got to be mentally tough in those five-game battles."

Pinewood home schedule:

Friday - Menlo

Sept. 19 - Woodside Priory

Sept. 21 - Redwood Christian

Sept. 26 - I.C.A.

Oct. 3 - Valley Dublin

Oct. 6 - Mercy-Burlingame

Oct. 10 - Fremont Christian

Oct. 19 - Notre Dame-San Jose

Oct. 24 - Castilleja, 5:30 p.m.

All matches 5 p.m. unless noted