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Published on 09/14/1998 All articles from this issue

Owls are small, but they're standing tall

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Size could be an issue for the Foothill College women's volleyball team this year. And then again, maybe it won't be.

The Owls are short on height and players. They have just nine team members, none of whom stand above 5-foot-10.

However, sixth-year coach Arno Dominguez is still confident his squad is playoff-bound.

"Our goal is to get to the state tournament, which means getting past the second round of NorCal," he said.

That would mean going a step further than a year ago. The Owls lost in the second round of the NorCal playoffs in 1997, falling to Delta in five games. Foothill wound up 24-6 overall and ranked No. 10 in the state.

"I think we're just as strong as last year, but we just don't have the depth," the coach said.

The Owls return four players, all starters. This foursome includes All-Coast Conference selections Kristi Lezchuk and Tamara Robertson. Lezchuk, an outside hitter from Mountain View High, also earned all-state honors. Middle blocker Robertson is Foothill's tallest player at 5-10, "but she jumps with the best of them," Dominguez said.

Other returners include Hawaii natives Lore Paogofie (outside hitter) and Makaala Clark (opposite the setter).

"I think our returning players are stronger and they have better knowledge of the game," Dominguez said. "So I'll expect more from them this season."

Joining these veterans in the starting line-up will be freshman middle blocker Nicole Durand - also from Hawaii - and sophomore setter Emily Taofa, a transfer from De Anza College.

Durand is only 5-9, according to Dominguez, but she's very quick. Taofa has "a lot of potential," the coach said.

The reserves are all freshmen: outside hitter Molly O'Leary and back-row specialists Jolene Tam and Pharaah Jaimes.

"I expect all of them to contribute," Dominguez said. "Since we're a little shallow, they're going to have to help out."

The Owls open conference play at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 when Hartnell comes calling.