Sea Kings look to regroup

Someone is trying to convince girls’ volleyball coach Bill Christiansen that this is not a rebuilding year at Corona del Mar High.

But Christiansen, being persistent, is calling it one. He points to the Division I college volleyball programs taking his top three players. He rattles their names off like a player delivering services aces.

“Kasey Kipp to UC Santa Barbara, Julianne Piggott to UCLA and Kelly Christian to the University of Washington,” he said, trying to figure out where it leaves him.

Just another opportunity to create something new and prove he can accomplish it.

There’s plenty to work with for his seventh year at the CdM helm. Thirteen players return from a team that advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA final last year. The feat marked the third time in four years the Sea Kings had reached the title match.

Another run is possible, even Christiansen won’t rule that out, especially after a runner-up finish. Getting everyone on the same page comes first. The results will follow.

“We are a blend of three different club [teams], four different age groups, so a lot of people are playing together [with players] they have never played with,” Christiansen said. “We are in a rebuilding mode.”

There he goes again. Referring to transforming CdM. Christiansen emphasizes it whenever, making sure you buy into it. His players are. On a recent trip to Hawaii, they demonstrated their development on and off the court.

The Sea Kings competed in the Ann Kang Invitational tournament, a prestigious event held in mid-August. Christiansen’s said 10 teams from Hawaii and 10 from the mainland competed for four days and CdM placed fifth, while bonding well as a team.

Eight seniors are on the team, starting with outside hitter Kara Chatham (6-foot) and libero Ashley Pries (5-9), both first-team All-Pacific Coast League picks. Setter Jamie Lawson, a second-team selection, can play a variety of positions. This can only help their cause to start.

Each is fighting for one of the six spots, not only with seniors, but against younger players, like sophomore setter Madison Smith (5-9) and junior middle blocker Conley Kipp (6-4), both earned second-team all-league honors last year.

This can lead to jealousy. The battles are definitely intense during practice, but trips like Hawaii give players a chance to get to know one another.

“The girls compete in a friendly way,” said Christiansen, who has set up another trip to a competitive tournament in Chicago in late September, a month before the tough Santa Barbara Tournament. “It really helps.”

The Sea Kings open the season Wednesday at 5 p.m. against visiting Santa Margarita.

Instead of being frustrated, players know under Christiansen that they’ll receive time on the court. League play is a perfect time for Christiansen to use many players, with the Sea Kings usually dominating the PCL. Last year they were 23-8, 8-0 in league and lost in the Division III Southern California regional semifinals.

The team that ended their season was the same one that beat them in the Southern Section final: Laguna Beach. Can it happen again? Christiansen can see it with the Breakers returning Southern Section Division II Player of the Year Dana Hutchinson, a senior outside hitter.

Five starters return at Laguna Beach, including junior Alex Palmer, whom Christiansen calls the top setter in the state.

“She was MVP at the U.S. Juniors Olympics this summer,” said Christiansen, backing his assessment of Palmer’s ability. “There are other teams on the horizon like Bishop Montgomery. We last won in 2004, but Bishop Montgomery beat us in the final in 2003 and Laguna Beach [beat us in the final] last year.”

Christiansen would like nothing more than to return the favor — even in a rebuilding year.