At Start, Westlake Knows It Must Finish

There’s really no other way to say it, so Westlake High setter Brooke Rundle doesn’t mince words describing last season’s sectional final against Santa Margarita.

“We choked,� she said. “Big time.�

Leading, 2-0, in games and cruising toward the Southern Section Division II-A title, the Warriors sputtered, collapsed, and--what’s this?--learned from their five-game loss.

“We’re not ever going to let that happen again,� Rundle said. “When we take the first two games [from a team], we’re going to beat them in three.�

Rundle, the 5-foot-6 leader of the Warriors, has good reason to think the Warriors have mastered the art of the sweep.

Eight players return from last season’s squad, which waltzed to the Marmonte League title and, until the sectional loss, never tripped over anything more than an occasional volleyball in practice.

Joining Rundle, who has committed to UC Santa Barbara, are 6-1 Erika Denison and 5-11 Jamie Ghattas, both middle blockers, and 5-9 Heather Hutchison, 5-10 Megan Mullen and 5-8 Leigh O’Neill, all senior outside hitters.

There are question marks at opposite hitter, including one very big one: Will Courtney Miller play?

The 6-foot-2 Miller, arguably the best player in the area, must decide within the next few days whether to undergo possible season-ending surgery.

X-rays earlier this week showed a bone fragment in Miller’s left foot, which leaves her with the option of immediate surgery--and an estimated two-month recovery--or waiting until the end of the season, a gamble because the foot can only get worse.

The Warriors are bracing themselves.

“She’s an important player and she needs to get back,� Denison said. “But we can do it without having one player. Or even two. We’re still a very strong team.�

How strong?

The Warriors’ goals include sectional and state titles. And they have prepared properly.

Later this month, they will be in the invitation-only Las Vegas tournament which draws teams from around the nation. Next month, they will be in the rigorous Santa Barbara tournament. Not to mention they have a league challenge with two matches against Royal.

Third-year Coach Chris Rundle has even asked her husband, Larry, a former UCLA All-American and ex-beach volleyball guru, to be an assistant this season.

“We have depth on the court, on the bench and in our coaching staff,� Chris said.

Now, if the Warriors can only get past the sectional championship.

Other teams to watch in the region include:

Harvard-Westlake: The Wolverines won the Southern Section Division III-A title last season before losing in the state semifinals.

The middle is strong with 5-11 Michelle Wong, an All-Southern Section selection, and 6 foot Carissa Abbott. All-Southern Section selection Anne Jakle, 6 feet, may move from opposite to swing hitter.

Royal: Sherisa Livingston and Courtney Guerra give the Highlanders the best chance at unseating Westlake in the Marmonte League. Livingston, a 6-1 middle blocker, is awesome at the net.

“When she gets up to block, you don’t get around her,� Royal Coach Bob Ferguson said.

Granada Hills: The boys’ team won the City Section 4-A Division last season and the girls’ team, in only its fourth year of existence, has a chance to repeat. With 5-10 Lindy Gayton and 6 foot Michelle Ferrucci, the Highlanders have perhaps the best middle in 4-A, while Gina Karabogias runs the show at setter.

Saugus: Sarah Wilkin, a 6-foot outside hitter, is the only returning starter, but seventh-year Coach Bobbie Estes said this could be the best defensive team she’s coached.

La Reina: The Regents have won seven consecutive Tri-Valley League titles, but face stiff competition from Carpinteria. Outside hitters Aimee Thompson (5-9) and 5-7 Tory Fithian and setter Kylene Kroll will be the focus. Jennifer Ryan, a 6-foot freshman middle blocker, could be a surprise.

Flintridge Sacred Heart: The Tologs won the Division IV-AA title last season and could be in the hunt again with the return of All-Southern Section selections Danielle Dal Ponte, a 5-7 outside hitter, and 5-8 opposite hitter Megan Hosp.

Van Nuys: The Wolves will be the best team in the area to miss the playoffs. They return 6-1 middle blocker Angela Eckmier, a major college recruit, but are barred from post-season play because they used an ineligible player in last year’s playoffs.

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AT A GLANCE

* THE PROVEN: Kennedy High’s 6-foot-1 middle blocker Melissa Kuhn will try to take the Golden Cougars past the City Section 4-A Division semifinals, where they lost to Westchester last season. L.A. Baptist is led by three two-time All-Alpha League selections--5-9 Kristen Jensen, 5-11 Gloria Erickson and 5-11 Patricia Stanton. Defending Golden League champion Highland has league MVP Josie Wilson, a 6-foot senior middle blocker.

* THE PROMISING: Sasha Hernandez of Alemany High, a 5-10 outside hitter, was an All-Southern Section selection as a sophomore. Valencia could be a surprise in the Foothill League with 6-foot senior middle blocker Kristin Webster. Calabasas outside hitter Brooke Niles is only 5-7, but, as one area coach said, “has the greatest instincts of any girl I’ve ever seen.� La Canada’s Emily Dalbeck, a 5-10 senior outside hitter, was an All-Southern Section selection last season.

* FAST FACT: Five teams from the area advanced to Southern Section or City title matches last season and Harvard-Westlake, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Sylmar and Cornerstone Christian came away with victories. Westlake lost in five games.