Girls volleyball: Sage Hill set for varsity debut

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT COAST - Chemistry, talent, experience and enthusiasm are

all things the Sage Hill High girls volleyball team as it prepares for

its first varsity season.

But expectations?

“I have none,” Coach Merja Connolly-Freund said. “I just want us to

play hard every match.”

The Lightning satisfied that requirement last season, according to

Connolly-Freund, who guided the then-freelance team to a winning junior

varsity record, including victories over some varsity squads.

This season, Sage Hill, which opened last fall and won’t have its

first senior class until next year, enters the Academy League, which

includes perennial volleyball champion St. Margaret’s, Calvary Chapel of

Downey, Capistrano Valley Christian, Brethren Christian and the Oxford

Academy.

Despite a starting lineup that will include four sophomores, a

freshman and one junior, and also lost last year’s go-to hitter (Valerie

Westhart has transferred to Corona del Mar), Connolly-Freund, formerly

the head women’s coach at UC Irvine and Cornell, isn’t too worried about

her young team being overwhelmed by varsity competition.

“Our team is anxious to prove we can compete in the Academy League,”

she said.

Three starters have valuable club experience and Connolly-Freund

believes their ability to play together will also help them overcome any

novelty associated with the varsity schedule.

“What was amazing last year was that everybody came from a different

place, but there just seemed to be an immediate chemistry and friendship

between the girls,” Connolly-Freund said. “That goes a far way. One of

our biggest strengths this year is the players’ loyalty and commitment to

each other.”

Another strength is the aforementioned club players, all of whom

started last year.

Nicole Notrica, a 5-foot-4 sophomore and veteran of the Newport

Beach-based Orange County Volleyball Club, returns at setter.

Sophomores Gina Cossavella, a 5-4 outside hitter also from OCVBC, and

Smanatha Burns, a 5-8 middle blocker who plays for the Saddleback Valley

club program, also add seasoning that belies their sophomore status.

Cossavella and Burns will provide strong ball control and

competitiveness, according to their coach, who also likes the fact that

Burns is left-handed.

Hayden Hutchison, a 5-8 sophomore, is expected to start at outside

hitter, while junior Alexandra “Lexi” Hands, whom Connolly-Freund said is

one of the school’s best athletes, is another returning starter opposite

the setter.

Shelley Smith, a 5-7 freshman out of Harbor Day, will round out the

starters.

Molly Potter, a 5-2 junior defensive specialist, as well as freshmen

outside hitters Kelly Jewell and Casey McMackin, will provide depth.

“I’ll keep about nine or 10 players on the varsity,” said

Connolly-Freund, who expects to land experienced and talented players in

the future.

“We’re fortunate to have this beautiful school set in the hotbed of

volleyball,” she said.

The Lightning opens its season Sept. 4 at Tarbut V’Torah and hosts

Connelly one week later for its first home match. League begins Oct. 2.

Sage Hill roster

Nicole Notrica 5-4 So. S

Gina Cossavella 5-4 So. OH

Samantha Burns 5-8 So. MB

Hayden Hutchison 5-8 So. OH

Alexandra Hands 5-6 Jr. OP

Shelley Smith 5-7 Fr. MB

Molly Potter 5-2 Jr. DS

Kelly Jewell 5-6 Fr. OH

Casey McMackin 5-5 Fr. OH

Coach: Merja Connolly-Freund