Fieldsteel Is a Real Trouper

Ask Heather Fieldsteel what she wants to be doing in a few years, and her answer arrives in a nanosecond.

She wants to be a teacher, a perfectly understandable career choice based on her ability to capture a challenging audience.

For the last three years, the Village Christian High senior has been part of a theatrical group that travels to juvenile halls throughout the region.

The troupe performs an hour-long drama that delivers a message to its viewers--it’s not too late to change your attitude . . . and your life.

The drama features a series of monologues that parallels the experiences of its audience. One character has been abused. Another is a gang member. A third character deals with AIDS-related issues.

The response isn’t always enthusiastic, but the reactions are more positive than negative.

“The first 20 minutes, they laugh and they kind of jeer at us,� Fieldsteel said. “But you can tell that all of a sudden it kind of clicks. And if someone else makes noise around them, they tell them to be quiet.�

The troupe, called “His Company,� strikes an emotional chord with some audience members.

“The kids we perform for have committed serious crimes,� Fieldsteel said. “To see them cry is just amazing.�

At one detention center, the viewers were inspired enough to form a choir after seeing the show, which also includes a choreographed singing routine.

They’d be equally inspired watching the 5-foot-4 Fieldsteel play volleyball.

Fieldsteel has forged a name for herself as a fierce competitor and an avid perfectionist who can’t stand to lose, even if it’s a scrimmage.

The two-time co-captain and All-Alpha League setter has helped lead Village Christian (18-1) to a No. 2 ranking in Southern Section Division IV-A.

“I wouldn’t want to play against her,� Coach Bill Schnobrich said. “She insists on being her best on a daily basis.�

Regardless of whether it’s on or off the volleyball court.

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Sylmar has taken its first step toward becoming a second.

The Spartans almost surely will be seeded No. 1 during the selection meeting Thursday for the City Championship playoffs and could become only the second team from the region to win the upper-division City title.

Chatsworth, which won in 1994, is the only team from the region to win the upper-division City title since girls’ volleyball playoffs began in 1973.

“I never thought of it that way, but I guess it’s a possibility,� Sylmar Coach Bob Thomson said. “We have a legitimate shot.�

The playoffs begin Monday.

As for the expected top seeding: “It would be very flattering,� Thomson said. “But there’s no guarantees with that.�

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Sylmar (12-0) should get the nod for the top seeding in the City Championship, but who will round out the top eight?

Chatsworth (11-1) and Poly (11-1) could be seeded No. 2 and No. 3. Venice, San Pedro and Fremont likely will follow, though not necessarily in that order.

Taft (10-2), which has lost in four and five games to Chatsworth, seems to be a good fit for No. 7 and Van Nuys (9-3), with Georgia-bound setter Margot Wallace, could be No. 8.

Huntington Park and three-time defending champion Palisades should also make the 16-team field.

Kennedy (6-6) might be seeded No. 1 for the lower-level City Invitational playoffs, also a 16-team field.

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It’s amazing what a jersey can do.

Louisville outside hitter Megan O’Connell was presented with the jersey of her future school, Hofstra, in a ceremony before a match last week against Chaminade.

Linda Chisholm, a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, presented the jersey to O’Connell, who proceeded to deliver 20 kills in a victory that ultimately could send Louisville (9-6, 4-4 in Mission League play) to the playoffs.

“She has just been killing the ball,� Coach Mary Beth Giordano. “She’s really been playing well.�

O’Connell and setter-outside hitter Colleen Hamlin, also a senior, have combined to give Louisville its best team in years.

“We’re going to have trouble replacing them on the outside,� Giordano said. “They’ve been our big guns.�

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Girls’ Volleyball Top 10

Rankings of teams in the region

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RK LW School (League) Rec. 1 1 Harvard-Westlake (Mission) 17-2 2 2 La Reina (Tri-Valley) 21-0 3 3 Oxnard (Pacific View) 16-3 4 4 Sylmar (Valley Mission) 11-0 5 5 La Canada (Rio Hondo) 17-2 6 6 Highland (Golden) 11-0 7 7 Village Christian (Alpha) 19-1 8 NR Royal (Marmonte) 15-8 9 9 Chatsworth (West Valley) 12-1 10 8 Westlake (Marmonte) 14-2

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