Gearing up for the big season

Charlie Brande

As the 2000 women’s college season quickly approaches, the number

of local volleyball players competing on the college level continues to

grow. Since 1977, our area has produced over 100 college volleyball

players with many of those athletes on full athletic scholarships.

In her final college season, Newport Harbor’s Joanna Fielder, is

targeted as a major weapon for the Michigan Wolverines. After a

tremendously successful spring season, Coach Mark Rosen has big plans for

his middle blocker.

At St. Mary’s in Moraga, seniors Whitney Hoover and Meghan Coolbaugh

are two Newport Beach residents who will provide a major role in their

team’s success. Whitney has been the starting setter for her entire

four-year career at St. Mary’s while Meghan is the “go to” middle hitter

of the Gaels.

The local Ivy League contingency is formidable as always.

At Brown University, leadership is provided by a trio of juniors.

Corona del Mar’s Corre Myer returns as the starting setter for her third

season and is supported by the play of former Newport Harbor standout

Laura Wells, as well as CdM’s Audrey Anhood. After winning the Ivy League

as freshmen, Brown finished a disappointing fourth in last year’s Ivy

League tournament. This will provide a great deal of incentive for this

trio who are used to successful volleyball.

Princeton won the 1999 Ivy League Championship and will be a force

this year with the leadership of Corona del Mar’s Sarah Petry. She will

be joined by CdM setter, Marissa Becker, who could be the starter for the

Tigers.

At Columbia University, head coach Carolyn Blake Elwood leads a very

much-improved team. Carolyn was a member of the Corona del Mar High

School 1984 state championship team. Sophomore Julia Topik (formerly of

University High School and daughter of Newport Harbor High School English

teacher, Martha) will be instrumental in this year’s emergence as a

setter and hitter. Former Newport Harbor middle hitter, Kathy LaVold has

transferred from Boston College and should help with the offense.

Columbia will play at the University of California at Irvine on Nov. 5.

At Manhattan College (Long Island), Newport’s Shana Bannert has

emerged as a major part of their offense as an outside hitter. A

part-time starter last season, Shana’s years of volleyball experience

have helped her to play as a mainstay in the Manhattan attack.

Jennifer Carey, who was Newport Harbor’s setter in two CIF

championships and one state championship, will be the setter at the

University of Hawaii. Last year’s Hawaiian Wahine team was a favorite to

make the Final Four but was upset on its path by Texas A&M.; This revenge

factor, coupled with the addition of some very good offensive players,

should push Hawaii into a very successful season. Jennifer is very much

at home in the Hawaii volleyball world where the normal attendance at

matches is over 10,000 people.

Former Corona del Mar standouts, Jamie Brownwell and Dimitra Havriluk

are enjoying their freshman collegiate experiences. Jamie is a back-row

specialist for the highly ranked Stanford volleyball team while Dimitra

has stepped in at West Virginia. Both have a great awareness of the

experience and how exciting it will be.

Newport Harbor’s Krista Dill has stepped in at Duke University to be

their leading hitter and blocker. Her years of success should allow the

Blue Devils to return to the success that they enjoyed 10 years ago.

April Ross has started her college career at the University of

Southern California just like she ended her high school and club careers.

She is playing a position that allows her to showcase her many talents.

From hitting high sets, to setting the transition attack, April enjoys

the challenge of playing in a number of different positions. Her USC team

was recently named as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation by Volleyball

Magazine and April was named the Most Valuable Player in the tournament

last weekend held on the USC campus. Not bad for a freshman who just

started college two weeks ago.

Circle this date on your calendar, Oct. 3. On that date, the Trojans

of Southern California will play at the University of California at

Irvine in a 7 p.m. match.

Newport Harbor outside hitter, Brenda Waterman, is a freshman for UCI.

With a great understanding for success (she was named All-CIF three

times), Brenda has stepped in to lead Irvine with her ball control and

intelligent hitting. At 5-foot-6, she is an inspiration to all of the

short players in junior volleyball. It will be fun to watch when Brenda

and April, who have been the starting outside hitters at Newport for

three years, play against each other.

On the community college scene, Costa Mesa’s Daylyn Keley is playing

for Coach Chuck Cutenese’s Orange Coast team. She has already emerged as

a primary offensive force for the Pirates. Costa Mesa resident and former

Orange County Volleyball Club player, Jennie Holmes, will set for Orange

Coast this season.

At Irvine Valley College, Coach Tom Pestolesi has a team that features

two of his former players when he assisted Dan Glenn at Newport Harbor.

Setter Erica Wade returns for her second season as the starting setter

while Beth Waterman has transferred from Orange Coast to play as an

outside hitter. It will be interesting to watch as the community college

season progresses.

After setting for the state championship Golden West College team last

season, Newport’s Marissa Cothran has opted to end her volleyball career.

She had many successes through high school and college careers. She will

be a stronger person because of those times.

The number of players who have continued their volleyball careers into

college is a great indication of the value of this sport for our local

community. It is also a tribute to the hard work and years of devotion

that all of these players have exhibited through their high school and

club experiences.