CATZ Athletes Named

Lofty goals

Los Alamitios aims to repeat its Sunset League, CIF and State titles.

By DAMIAN CALHOUN

The Orange County Register

The wall inside the Los Alamitos High gym offered a reminder for those beginning their high school education:

"Embark on a New Adventure."

The banner, which was draped along the wall for freshman orientation, also tells the story of the Griffins' 2006 girls volleyball team.

The Griffins had a storybook season last year.

They lost just two matches all season and won the Sunset League, CIF championship and State championship.

This year, the Griffins have convened with a new set of leaders, but with the same set of goals.

"We're approaching this like we do every year," Los Alamitos coach Jimmy Munoz said. "The girls have set their goals and we've worked hard in the off-season."

When Munoz and the Griffins needed a key kill, block or dig, he knew where to look. The senior class led by Rachael Moss (Duke) and Alex Filkins (UC Irvine) provided the necessary leadership that carried the Griffins to the top of the volleyball mountain.

Now, that task of keeping them there falls into the arms of senior captains Geena Urango, who has committed to USC, and Bethany Keisner.

"I have all the respect for them in the world," Munoz said. "We're going to rely on them with their knowledge and big-game experience."

It isn't like Urango and Keisner will have to do everything, but they do give Munoz a good starting point. The Griffins return seven other seniors and six juniors and one sophomore.

Returnees Riley Cropper, Christine Douglas and Katie Crosby all received valuable experience last year, as did sophomore freshman libero Kelly Holford.

"I'm excited for this," Urango said. "I don't think that there is any more pressure on us."

Pressure is something that Munoz and his teams are oblivious to; winning four CIF titles in four years and a State title will do that for you.

"The standard has definitely been set high here," Munoz said.

ROYAL TIME

Optimism can take a coach only so far before reality sets in.

However, for Rosary coach Mike Talamantes, optimism and reality have him smiling

"It took us three years to get here," he said. "But we have a chance to be good."

Talamantes and the Royals were "good" last year, advancing to the CIF-SS Division III-A semifinals.

This year, the Royals are expected to be factors in the new Trinity League with eight key returning players.

"Last year we went to Lizzie (Cheek) a lot," Talamantes said. "This year, we're getting a lot of balance and it will be difficult to key on one hitter."

NOTES

It will be a battle of champions Sept. 21 when state champions Los Alamitos (Division I) play host to Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach (Division II) in a nonleague match on Sept. 21. ...A preseason list of the county's next five teams (11-15): Mater Dei, Tesoro, El Modena, El Toro, Woodbridge.

Players to watch:

Kari Pestolesi (Edison, Sr.); Melinda Cave (El Dorado, Sr.); Alec Boyle (El Modena, Sr.); Lindsay Benac (Huntington Beach, Sr.); Whittany Radcliffe (La Habra, Jr.); Zoe Garrett (Laguna Beach, Sr.); Dana Hutchinson (Laguna Beach, Jr.); Paige Obradovich (Laguna Beach, Jr.); Danielle Gordon (Rosary, Sr.); Nicole Favreau (Rosary, So.); Dicey McGraw (Santa Margarita, Sr.); Beth Wildermuth (Santa Margarita, Jr.); Jacque Davisson (Valencia, Sr.); Alaina Sully (Woodbridge, Sr.); Kelly Christian (Corona del Mar, Sr.); Kasey Kipp (Corona del Mar, Sr.); Shannon Johnson (Corona del Mar, Sr.); Kari Pestolesi (Edison, Sr.); Ashton Basch (El Toro, Sr.); Ashley Bosza (El Toro, Sr.); Nicole Decuir (Troy, Sr.); Geena Urango (Los Alamitos, Sr.); Jenna Arneson (Mission Viejo, Sr.); Stefanie Gay (Mission Viejo, Sr.); Christy Hudson (Esperanza, Sr.); Jessica Welch (Esperanza, Sr.); Chelsey Lowe (Esperanza, Jr.); Bethany Keisner (Los Alamitos, Sr.); Kelly Holford (Los Alamitos, So.); Megan Munce (Newport Harbor, Jr.); Megan Toman (Newport Harbor, Sr.); Coco Yokohama (Mater Dei, Sr.); Nicole Casale (Fullerton, Jr.); Catie Smith (Brea Olinda, Sr.); Joy Talcott (San Clemente, Sr.); Felicia Arriola (Dana Hills, Jr.)

Important dates

Mater Dei at El Dorado, Mission Viejo at Edison, Thursday; Esperanza at Santa Margarita, Sept. 12; Durango/Las Vegas Tournament, Sept. 15-16; Orange County Championships, Sept. 15-16, 18; Los Alamitos at Marymount, Sept. 19; Mira Costa at Los Alamitos, Sept. 21; Laguna Beach at Mira Costa, Sept. 25; Mater Dei at Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo at Esperanza, Sept. 26; Newport Harbor at Laguna Beach, Sept. 29; Mater Dei at Rosary, Esperanza at Newport Harbor, Oct. 10; Torrey Pines Challenge, Oct. 13-14; Newport Harbor at Los Alamitos, Oct. 17; Newport Harbor at Corona del Mar, Nov. 3; CIF-SS Playoffs, Nov. 7, 9, 11, 14, 17-18; CIF SoCal Regionals, Nov. 21, 25, 28; CIF State Championship in San Jose, Dec. 2

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CONTACT US: dcalhoun@ocregister.com

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/ocvarsity/todaysregister/article_1265094.php