Spsl South Girls Volleyball Capsules

Sep 3, 1997

Legend: MH - middle hitter; OH - outside hitter; S - setter; DS - defensive specialist; AA - all-around.

South Division

Bethel Braves

Coach - John Reopelle, second year.

1996 division record - 13-0 (first in South); won AAA state championship.

Returning players - Jorden Gienger, MH, 5-9, sr.; Valerie Lee, OH, 5-7, sr.; Holly Hobbs, 5-6, S, sr.; Heather Mayo, OH, 5-7, sr.; Jennifer Ladwig, OH, 5-6, sr.; Corrin Breon, MH, 5-10, jr.

Key newcomers - Kristine Ralstad, MH, 5-10, jr.; Gretchen Klubberudd, OH, 5-7, jr.; Ariel Anderson, DS, 5-5, jr.; Kristy Browse, DS, 5-5, jr.; Corrin Breon, MH, 5-10, jr.

Outlook - Three mainstays return from last year's title team, but the Braves lost a pair of all-state players who will be hard to replace. They won't out-hit many teams, so ball handling and defense are keys.

Curtis Vikings

Coach - Rodney Kalalau, first year.

1996 division record - 7-7 (tied for fourth in South); eliminated in SPSL tournament.

Returning players - Krista Andersen, OH, 5-8, sr.; Rachel Shaw, OH/MH, 5-9, sr.; Tanya Martin, OH/DS, 5-7, sr.; Amanda Wells, OH, 5-8, sr.; Holly Fish, OH/MH, 5-9, sr.; Carmen Garcia, DS, 5-4, sr.; Erin Williams, DS, 5-4, sr.; Christa Anderson, S, 5-8, jr.

Key newcomers - Melissa Brown, OH/MH, 5-9, so.; Hilary Scott, MH, 5-10, so.

Outlook - The Vikings lack the height to match up at the net with some of the big guns, but should be a scrappy team. If they play good defense, Kalalau believes the offense will come around. Should be at least a middle-of-the-pack squad.

Decatur Gators

Coach - Ann Clements, first year.

1996 division record - 1-7 (eighth in North).

Returning players - Angela Blocki, S, 5-6 sr.; Tara Miller, MH, 5-10 sr.; Emily Verellen, OH, 5-7, sr.; Mollie Howat, OH, 5-8, jr.; Kawohe Schilling, MH, 5-10, jr.; Lindsay Sherfinski, DS, 5-3, jr.

Key newcomers - Kadee Stoneback, OH, 5-6, sr.; Analisa Toepke, OH, 5-4, sr.; Anna Cherrington, OH, 5-7, jr.; Barbara Blocki, 5-10, MH, so.; Tina Wanamaker, OH, 5-8, so.

Outlook - With one Blocki setting and the other hitting, the Gators' stock appears to be on the rise, although it might take them a little while to get used to a new coach. They should be strong in the middle and be solid defensively.

Federal Way Eagles

Coach - Kathy Harris, 26th year.

1996 division record - 0-8 (ninth in North).

Returning players - Jessica Iserman, MH/OH, 5-10, sr.; Tovah Munson, S, 5-5, sr.; Melissa Herman, OH, 5-10, sr.; Adrienne Malutin, OH, 5-5, jr.

Key newcomers - Leslie Sandberg, MH, 5-10, so.; Tiffany Gray, OH, 5-8, so.; Ellen Hong, S, 5-3, so.

Outlook - Iserman and Malutin should be two of the hardest hitters in the league and have developed into more all-around players since last season. Munson must step up as a setter. It might take the Eagles some time to define their rolls, but they should show steady improvement.

Jefferson Raiders

Coach - Kelly Kirk, fifth year.

1996 division record - 3-5 (tied for sixth in North).

Returning players - Margo Bailey, MH, 5-10, sr.; Courtney Bridges, OH, 5-7, sr.; Brandi Priest, MH, 5-11, sr.; Tracey Kirkland, OH, 5-6, sr.; Lindsay Tiroux, S/OH, 5-6, jr.

Key newcomers - Priscilla Angel, OH, 5-8, jr.; Kristin Jensen, S/OH, 5-7, so.; Debbie Scott, MH, 5-9, so.

Outlook - What the Raiders lack in experience they hope to make up for with athleticism. They should be a good passing team, and the key will be finding a solid setter. Kirk expects them to come on as the season progresses and be in the playoff picture.

Puyallup Vikings

Coach - Tony Batinovich, sixth year.

1996 division record - 10-4 (third in South); eliminated in West Central AAA District tournament.

Returning players - Anna Wardle, OH, 5-6, sr.; Lori Klotz, OH, 5-9, sr.; Jenny Medl, S/OH, 5-8, jr.

Key newcomers - Teri-Ann Elliott, OH, 5-7, jr.; Karlee Krippaehne, OH, 5-8, so.; Kristy Carstensen, MH, 6-0, so.; Erin McGinn, MH, 5-11, so.; Rebekah Patton, S, 5-6, so.; Dori Christensen, OH, 5-9, so.

Outlook - With the youngest lineup in the league, the Vikings might take their lumps early, but coaches around the league expect them to be in the playoff hunt before it's all said and done. They show a lot of potential offensively, if their timing comes together, but need some defensive polish.

Rogers Rams

Coach - Jill Fox-Mullen, second year.

1996 division record - 7-7 (tied for fifth in South); eliminated in West Central AAA District tournament.

Returning players - Lindy Sundahl, MH, 5-9, sr.; Allison Walther, OH, 5-7, sr.; Jennie Myers, S, 5-3, sr.; Mindy Shaw, AA, 5-4, sr.; Kristin Minnes, OH, 5-7, sr.; Aimee Sloboden, OH, 5-11, jr.; Erika Dahl, OH, 5-9, jr.

Key newcomers - Holly Nottinhham, MH, 5-8, jr.; Holly Braithwaite, OH/MH, 5-8, jr.; Kim Conder, MH/OH, 5-8, so.

Outlook - Despite the long list of returning letter winners, the Rams are short on playing experience. Sundahl is the only fulltime starter back. But there's more depth and athleticism than last year. The offense especially looks stronger. Hard work should bring improvement and probably a playoff spot.

Spanaway Lake Sentinels

Coach - Debbie Bentler, eighth year.

1996 division record - 4-9 (sixth in South).

Returning players - Jessica Kuper, OH, 5-7, sr.; Nani Kalalau, S, 5-7, jr.; Natasha Evylnn, MH, 5-9, jr.; Katrina Flowers, OH, 5-8, jr.

Key newcomers - Jonie Lau, DS, 5-5, jr.; Kelly Shearer, MH, 5-10, jr.; Haron Bachmeier, OH, 5-6, jr.; Carla Hamrick, AA, 5-6, jr.; Jeanette Hunt, DS, 5-5, so.; Alicia Herem, MH/OH, 5-10, so.

Outlook - This is another young team that lacks varsity experience, but shows potential - especially for next season. If the Sentinels are to make any noise this year, they must stay healthy and block well. Kalalau is a plus at setter and the defense looks adequate.

Sumner Spartans

Coach - Mike Fitzpatrick, 11th year.

1996 division record - 12-2 (second in South); qualified for AAA state tournament.

Returning players - Anna Newbury, S, 5-6, sr.; Kim Werkau, MH, 6-0, sr.; Mariah Goodchild, DS, 5-2, sr.; Jamie Hofeditz, OH, 5-9, sr.; Breanne Swarthout, OH, 5-11, sr.

Key newcomers - Rachel Mueller, DS, 5-4, sr.; Kristin Blackmore, OH, 5-10, sr.; Dana Bowers, OH, 5-10, sr.; Natasha Kozen, MH, 6-0, jr.; Lacy Ford, OH, 5-9, so.

Outlook - Three starters return from last year's team, which reached the state tournament for the first time in school history, and the Spartans are expected to challenge Bethel for the division title. They have good size and are a cohesive group. Consistency and minimizing mistakes are the keys.

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. SPSL volleyball . coaches poll .

Predicted order of finish for the 1997 South Puget Sound League volleyball races, based on a vote of the league coaches. Voting in the North Division was on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis; in the South it was 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (first-place votes in parentheses).

North Division .

Pts 1996 .

. 1. Auburn Riverside (6) 42 5-3 .

. 2. Auburn (1) 37 7-1 .

. 3. Enumclaw 29 6-2 .

. 4. Kentridge 24 7-1 .

. 5. Kent-Meridian 23 4-4 .

. 6. (tie) Kentwood 17 3-5 .

(tie) Tahoma # 17 11-4 .

. 8. Kentlake 7 - .

. South Division .

. 1. Bethel (7) 63 13-0 .

. 2. Sumner (2) 54 12-2 .

. 3. Rogers 49 7-7 .

. 4. Puyallup 48 10-4 .

. 5. Curtis 27 7-7 .

. 6. Jefferson 24 3-5 .

. 7. Decatur 21 1-7 .

. 8. Spanaway Lake 18 4-9 .

. 9. Federal Way 16 0-8 .

# As a new coach to the league, Tahoma's Nancy Dahlquist declined to participate. Tahoma competed in the AA Pierce County League Ridge Division last season.

NOTE: Decatur, Federal Way and Jefferson competed in the South Division last season. Bethel and Spanaway Lake played only 13 matches (their first match was suspended due to a leaky roof and never completed).