Expect a strong season from volleyball

By ALAN HENDRY
Valley Press Staff Writer
 

While two of last season's top players are playing at the next level, Lancaster's Roxy Neely is at Cal State East Bay and Paraclete's Danielle Evans is at College of the Canyons, the co-MVPs of the High Desert League are both back.

Desert's Lindsey Lewis and Mojave's Ashley Marroquin shared the HDL honors last year, as the two teams split the league crown.

Lancaster will try to fill the void of Neely, who helped lead the Eagles to their first ever Golden League title. Lancaster is favored by some to win the title again, although Quartz Hill is a perennial contender and stacked with returning players.

"We're always overmatched by Quartz Hill," Lancaster coach Dave Gutierrez said. "They always have the bulk of the talent. I don't think they should lose a single match, but that's what people thought last year."

Quartz Hill coach Larry Vocke said Lancaster is the team to beat.

There are a few new coaches to the Golden League, including Vocke, who returns after a one-year absence.

Shannon Macias takes over at Highland, Jarrod Cline replaces Colleen Nua at Palmdale and Teri Watt takes over a talented Littlerock squad. On the other end of the experience spectrum is Paraclete's Margaret Neill, who enters her 29th year.

"I think the Golden League will be very strong this year, from what I've seen in the summer," Macias said. "Quartz Hill and Lancaster are the favorites. I don't think you can count anybody out. I think it's going to be a battle, even for fourth place. I think it's going to be a strong year for girls volleyball. I think this year it's going to be a lot of really good play."

Golden League

Lancaster

The Eagles lost just one match in league play last year and graduated three players from the team that advanced to the second round of the Division III-AA playoffs.

Lancaster has seven returners, led by senior middle blocker Ashley Robinson, outside hitters Seferina Starks and Heather Black, an all-league selection.

Quartz Hill

The Rebels have been considered the team to beat the last few years, and despite finishing second last year, that hasn't changed.

Quartz Hill has nine returning players, including junior outside hitter Cara Sherrard, senior outside hitter Chelsey Hamilton and 6-foot-3 middle blocker Kahlia Burnley.

Littlerock

The Lobos placed third last season, and are considered one of the threats to challenge for the league crown. Littlerock went 13-11 overall and lost in the first round of the Division III-AA playoffs.

Brittany Sousa and Nicole Castrellon both received all-league honors last season.

Highland

The Bulldogs have seven returners, including middle blockers Rachel Cole and Briggette Adams and outside hitter Katy Allen. Stephanie Arreyta has switched from libero to setter.

Palmdale

Seniors Quinn Williams and Daniella Robinson will be counted on for their versatility.

"I'm not to sure on positions yet," Cline said of Williams. "She should be a pretty big deal for us. (Robinson will) be one of our strong hitters. They are two of our leaders. They lead by example. You get a sense that the whole team looks to them right away."

Knight

The Hawks lost four players to graduation, including all-league outside hitter Jessica Thomas.

Returning for the Hawks are four players, including two starters - setter Cristina Inglima and outside hitter Tanika Hubbard. Outside hitter Madison Oddo and defensive specialist Monica Esparza are the other returners.

Antelope Valley

AV has 12 returning players, including middle blocker Tatiana Wesley, who has also demonstrated a willingness to play at setter.

"I think that we're going to be good contenders to be up in the top," said fifth-year coach Francis Bosque. "I see a lot of my girls maturing in their senior year, they want to do well."

Eastside

The Lions are playing their first varsity season.

High Desert League

Desert

The Scorpions lost three seniors to graduation that helped them win their sixth league title, sharing the crown with Mojave. Setter Lindsey Lewis is returning for her third varsity season. Also returning are middle blocker Briana Lawrence and outside hitter Kellie Stutz.

Other key players include opposite hitter Julie Baker and defensive specialists Ty Nez and Karen Nickol.

Mojave

The Mustangs had their best year since 1995 and advanced to the second round of the Division IV-A playoffs.

"It's going to be different this year," fifth-year coach Shane Moore said. "We didn't have a lot of players coming up behind those seniors. Our JV team struggled last year. I went out and found some athletes on campus that didn't play volleyball before. I found our two best soccer players and the two basketball players that will be helping us out this year. They're athletic, but we have a lot to learn. It's tough to go from not playing to playing a key role in a sport."

Besides Marroquin, also returning for the Mustangs are middle blocker Amanda Moen and setter/opposite hitter Lauren Grenier.

Rosamond

The Roadrunners tied for fifth in the HDL with Bishop.

Desert Mountain League

Desert Christian

The Knights finished second in the DML last year, with a 7-3 mark behind undefeated Lucerne Valley.

Boron

The Bobcats went 5-5 in the DML and finished third. Boron had a 9-9 overall record and lost a Division IV-A first round match at Alverno, 25-20, 25-17, 25-24.

Alpha League

Paraclete

The Spirits have seven players returning from the team that finished second in the Alpha League and advanced to the second round of the Division IV-AA playoffs.

Junior Tori Mischel will switch to libero this season for the Spirits, who plan to take advantage of a new rule allowing liberos to serve one time in each rotation.

"Our defense is so good because of her," Neill said. "She's just going to be plying much better. We didn't use her at libero last year because she's such a good server. She's really a spark on the court for us."

Agape League

Bethel Christian

The Eagles have two players that missed considerable time to injury last year in senior middle blocker Amanda Ellis (torn ACL) and senior opposite Jocelyn Betancourt (bad ankle sprain).

Antelope Valley Christian

The Eagles went 0-15 overall and finished eighth in the Agape with an 0-14 mark.