Girls volleyball: Built for success

Barry Faulkner

CORONA DEL MAR - With four CIF Southern Section championships in

the 1990s, Corona del Mar High is officially a girls volleyball factory

once again.

And, entering his fourth season at the helm, Coach Steve Conti has

seen this year’s edition at every stage of the assembly line.

“This is the first senior class I will have gone through all four

years with,” said Conti, whose familiarity has spawned confidence for the

upcoming season.

“The biggest thing will be for these girls to go out and compete every

day. But I just have faith that the kids will do what it takes, which is

a tremendous amount of hard work. I don’t think we’ll win every match,

but the girls have a good attitude and I think we’ll get better

throughout the season.”

CdM did just that last year, winning all eight Pacific Coast League

matches in their PCL debut. They lost in the semifinals of the CIF

Southern Section Division III playoffs, but then reached the

quarterfinals of the state playoffs to finish 21-11.

Four All-CIF performers have moved on to college programs, but with

eight seniors and two juniors, Conti has plenty of experience.

Junior setter Jacqueline Becker earned second-team All-PCL recognition

a year ago and should provide a steadying force for a corps of sizable

hitting weapons.

“She didn’t surprise me last year, because she has a gift and you

could see that her freshman year,” Conti said. “She’s a great athlete who

loves to compete. When all is said and done, she could be one of the

better setters in Orange County as a senior. But a lot still needs to

happen for her to get there.”

Among those Becker will be distributing to are returning starters

Lindsay Anstandig and Katie Duggan.

Anstandig, a 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter, started in the middle in

‘99 and appears ready to step into the spotlight.

“She’s really improved over her four years,” Conti said. “She should

be a big offensive threat. And, she serves tough and is a solid passer

and defender. She could be one of the leaders, as well.”

Duggan, a 5-11 junior middle blocker, gained seasoning when All-CIF

senior Megan Gallagher missed the first six weeks due to injury last

fall.

“She’s gotten a lot stronger and she seems more composed,” Conti said.

Senior Jessica Jennings also has started on the varsity, but that was

two years ago as a sophomore. The 6-0 senior middle blocker sat out last

year, but is back with a vengeance.

“She didn’t touch a ball for a year and a half, but she’s someone who

may turn some heads by about a month into the season,” Conti said. “I’m

really excited she came back, because I think she’s going to have a fun

senior year.”

Sara Deming, a 5-11 senior opposite, should also start after playing a

reserve role last fall.

“She paid her dues last year and she’s a very solid all-around

player,” Conti said. “She’s also improved as a setter and could set a

little for us. When she set for us in the summer, our team played well.”

Junior Eleanor Mack, a 5-8 outside hitter, figures to round out the

starting six. She will handle the unsung chores of ball control,

according to Conti.

Senior defensive specialist Brittany Crall, senior outside hitters

Kate Petry, coming off a knee injury during the club season, Lauren

Nielson, as well as senior middle Alexandra Selich, give Conti a bench he

plans to freely use.

“I’ll play a lot of people,” he said.

The Sea Kings open Sept. 6 at home against Calvary Chapel and their

nonleague schedule also includes perennial county powers Newport Harbor

(Sept. 21 at home and Nov. 3 away), Marina, Huntington Beach and San

Clemente.

Conti said Laguna Beach and University could provide the stiffest

challenge to a repeat title in the PCL.

1 Jesicca Jennings 6-0, Sr. MB

4 Alexandra Selich 5-9 Sr. MB

5 Lauren Nielson 5-8 Sr. OH

6 Lindsey Anstandig 5-10 Sr. OH

7 Kate Petry 5-9 Sr. OH

8 Brittany Crall 5-4 Sr. DS

11 Sara Deming 5-11 Sr. OH

16 Katie Duggan 5-11 Jr. MB

18 Eleanor Mack 5-8 Jr. OH

22 Jacqueline Becker 5-8 Jr. S

Coach Steve Conti