Girls volleyball: Healthy expectations

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - Newport Harbor High girls volleyball coach Dan

Glenn wouldn’t recommend it, but, as it turns out, losing senior standout

Heather Cullen to reconstructive knee surgery last year might end up

benefiting the program this fall.

With Cullen, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker now at UCLA, on the sidelines

for all but a few late-season back-row appearances, the Sailors failed to

win at least a share of the Sea View League for the first time in eight

years last fall.

They did compile a 16-10 record and advanced to the CIF Southern

Section Division I-A quarterfinals. But inexperience kept them from

achieving the goals that have become nearly automatic.

Still, Glenn believes, the experience his players gained filling the

Cullen void, may provide dividends this season.

“When Heather wasn’t able to play last year, it forced some other

girls to step up,” Glenn said. “Now, those girls are better prepared to

fill leadership positions this year.”

The Tars, whose 10-player roster boasts seven seniors, won’t lack

leadership, according to Glenn, for whom maturity is a prized attribute.

“I’m hoping all the pain our seniors went through last year will make

us better this year,” said Glenn, who already has two Division I

scholarship recipients in Liz Lord and Christine Woller.

Woller, a 6-1 returning starter at outside hitter who verbally

committed to UC Irvine last week, should be the key attacker, according

to Glenn. She may also handle some setting chores.

Lord, a 5-11 middle who was a first-team all-league performer as a

junior, will also be counted upon to translate her athleticism into

offense and defense.

“She’s a great athlete and she has improved a lot on defense,” Glenn

said of the University of Portland-bound standout.

Kristin McClune, a 6-1 junior, will add punch in the middle, after

playing substantially in place of Cullen last season.

Katie King brings three seasons of experience into the Sept. 6 opener

against Laguna Beach. A 5-6 senior setter, she will run the show, just as

she has since she started as a freshman.

“She’s had some growing pains, but I’m excited about her this year,”

Glenn said.

Alyson Jennings, a 5-7 sophomore outside hitter, was a second-team

all-league choice as a freshman and joined Lord on the 2000

All-Newport-Mesa District team.

“She’s gotten a little more heat on the ball, but she’s not a big

hitter,” Glenn said. “She’s such a good all-around player, we’re

expecting more from her this season.”

Andrea Trinen, a 5-10 senior outside hitter, brings a big, aggressive

swing to the lineup and Glenn hopes she improves her consistency as the

season progresses, both at the net and as a passer.

Emily Turner, a 5-7 sophomore, should help create the trademark ball

control Glenn’s Harbor teams have been known for.

“She’s a great back-row player,” Glenn said.

Lindsey Miller, a 5-9 senior, is another qualify passer, according to

her coach, who will count on Taylor Burnham, a 5-10 senior, to add depth

in the middle.

Lindsay Thayer, a 5-6 senior, should also contribute as Glenn plans on

utilizing his atypically small roster.

Clare Allen, a junior expected to add to the mix this year,

transferred to Corona del Mar, which the Sailors will meet in two

nonleague matches (Sept. 20 at CdM and Nov. 2 at home).

“I only have 10 girls, but they all can play,” Glenn said. “I’m fired

up about this group’s chances this year.”

Glenn is also excited about his assistants, former junior varsity

coach Bryan Cottrell and Travis Turner, whose resume includes a coaching

stint with the men’s program at UC Berkeley.

The Sailors are tentatively slotted into the Division II-AA enrollment

bracket.

“Last year was a good season, but not a great season,” Glenn said.

“Considering we lost a player the caliber of Heather, though, I think the

girls did a pretty nice job. The way the (CIF playoffs) are set up now

(with enrollment-based divisions and a prohibition against schools

playing up in a higher division), I coach for a state title. I think we

can contend at the end of the year.”

Newport Harbor roster

Christine Woller 6-1 Sr. OH

Liz Lord 5-11 Sr. MB

Alyson Jennings 5-7 So. OH

Katie King 5-6 Sr. S

Kristin McClune 6-1 Jr. MB

Emily Turner 5-7 So. DS

Taylor Burnham 5-10 Sr. MB

Andrea Trinen 5-10 Sr. OH

Lindsay Thayer 5-6 Sr. S

Lindsey Miller 5-9 Sr. OH

Coach: Dan Glenn