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Published on 10/21/1996 All articles from this issue

Volleyballers make themselves known

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By Andy Nystrom

Town Crier Sports Editor

Foothill College roundup

Arno Dominguez feels his Foothill College women's volleyball team has been overlooked lately. Especially by the De Anza squad, which said in a recent San Jose Mercury News article that the Owls wouldn't be much of a challenge this season.

Using that comment as inspiration, Foothill upset the state's fifth-ranked and NorCal's second-ranked team 2-15, 13-15, 15-10, 15-10, 15-6 on Oct. 10.

"It was a really emotional game. De Anza's the big kid on the block - we hadn't played them in three years," Dominguez said last week. Foothill, a second-place conference finisher with an 8-2 record last year, is 15-4 thus far.

Against De Anza, it took awhile for the Owls to warm up, but once they gained momentum the game was in their hands.

Standouts for Foothill include setter Joanna Maristela, outside hitters Benjaline Maiava and Eva Jorgensen, middle blocker Susie Morasci and Jennifer Carpowich. Carpowich last played volleyball four years ago in high school, but is back in the groove and giving 100 percent, Dominguez said.

While Foothill implements a team-oriented, spread-out offense, it also tends to focus on powerful go-to gal Maiava.

Early in the season, Foothill made the tournament rounds, taking first place at Cypress, second at San Jose City and fifth at the College of the Sequoias. The Owls' next big home match is 7 p.m. Oct. 30 against San Francisco.

WOMEN'S GOLF: Since its inception two years ago, women's golf at Foothill has stroked into the spotlight. Last season, the Owls finished third in the state, and Coach Elaine Rotty is shooting for a higher position this time out.

For starters, Foothill is 5-1 in conference and recently won the mid-season tournament. At the Santa Clara par-72 event, the Owls totaled 329 points to runner-up Fresno's 364, and Kara Giannetto fired a 77 to earn a first-place medal. Finishing a close second was teammate Jill Ross with a 78.

"We were consistent all the way around - off the tees, fairway shots," Rotty said. "And Kara is a total player. She's focused and determined all of the time."

As for Ross, who was an all-conference and -NorCal player last year, Rotty said she makes the most out of her shots and is a fine putter and driver. Other Owl standouts are Theresa Laita and Laney Donahue.

Watching Foothill compete as a team is one of the best parts of coaching for Rotty. "They care for each other and don't play against each other," she said.

MEN'S SOCCER: The Owls are 2-3 in their last five games, including 1-0 and 5-0 wins over Los Positas and San Francisco. In those matches, Ricardo Moreira, Ian Hatch and Jose Bernabe scored two goals each.

In recent 2-1 losses to Hartnell and West Valley, Hatch and Pedro Navio found the net. Overall, the Owls sport a 3-6 record.

MEN'S WATER POLO: Coach Pete Snyder's Owls are 1-12, but hope to put some wins together in the second half of the season. Leading scorers are Dave Barry and Matt Jenkinson, and goalie Nate Swaninathan has been impressive in the net.