Local teams will settle things on court

Marmonte League preview: Girls’ volleyball



DOUBLE TROUBLE—Westlake High’s Megan Young, left, and Hannah Schuett leap to block a shot during last season’s Las Vegas Tournament. Young is now a junior with the Warriors’ varsity team. Schuett graduated from the program in the spring.

DOUBLE TROUBLE—Westlake High’s Megan Young, left, and Hannah Schuett leap to block a shot during last season’s Las Vegas Tournament. Young is now a junior with the Warriors’ varsity team. Schuett graduated from the program in the spring.

Girls’ volleyball in the Marmonte League was so balanced last fall, four schools tied for fourth place. Seven of eight teams had a chance at the playoffs.

How about an encore?

“I definitely see something similar happening this year,” Newbury Park head coach Chip Tarleton said.

Defending champion Thousand Oaks, which didn’t graduate a single player from 2010’s roster, is a favorite to repeat. Westlake features a deep and talented roster that should challenge the Lancers for Marmonte sovereignty.

Royal, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Newbury Park and Agoura will battle for postseason berths again. Calabasas continues its arduous rebuilding process.

Here is a closer look at the Marmonte teams:

WESTLAKE

WARRIORS

The Warriors are ready for prime time.

Westlake returns its entire team from last season except for setter Hannah Schuett, who’s at Hawaii Pacific University.

Shawna Korshavn takes over at setter.

The senior leader, who started at middle blocker and led WHS in blocks last year, has strong hands and a solid grasp of the game.

“It’s Shawna’s turn,” said head coach Ernest Rittenhouse. “She’s ready to go.”

The Warriors boast the Blonde Bombers—outside hitters Courtney Birkett, Emily Detweiler and Julia Mannisto. The trio had more than 200 kills apiece last year.

“They have to be efficient hitters and make the most of their opportunities,” the coach said.

“It’s nice to have those hitters coming back. We need their passing and blocking as well.”

Senior libero Paige Harris, a three-year starter, is a strong digger and passer. Nicky Kevorken, a 6-foot-3 junior middle blocker, is a player to watch.

A solid team all-around, Westlake is especially adept at ball control since five student-athletes have experience at setter. The squad hopes to improve hitting and serving, Rittenhouse said.

“Certainly, we always have the goal to win the league,” the coach said. “We take it match-by-match. With this league, you have to be prepared each and every night. You can’t slack off at all.”

AGOURA

CHARGERS

A big, physical team just got bigger and more physical.

The Chargers have more size at the front of the net, with players ranging in height from 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-2. Meanwhile, the defense and passing have improved.

Last season, Agoura made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.

“It’s a huge step for our program,” said third-year head coach Brock Redmond. “That’s kind of a big deal.”

Returning to the postseason is the No. 1 goal.

“My goal every year is to make the playoffs,” Redmond said. “I’d love to be first in league, but is it realistic? It’s possible. I’m a little more realistic. The goal is to make the playoffs, and anything can happen from there.”

Jackie Nadler, a senior middle blocker, and senior opposite Hailey Wahl are returning All-Marmonte second-team standouts. Nadler led the teams in blocks, and the coach hopes she can contribute more offensively.

Wahl is also a standout blocker.

Katie Sato is one of the best liberos in the league, according to Redmond. Setter Jackie Severson, middle blocker Meg Graham and outside hitters Willow Markowitz and Elizabeth Jennerly complete Agoura’s core lineup, but a solid bench can step up, too.

“These kids are playing yearround and putting in the work in the offseason to get better,” Redmond said.

CALABASAS

COYOTES

First-year head coach Cory Chandler leads the Coyotes.

Competing in the Marmonte is never easy, but Chandler hopes Calabasas can climb the ladder.

“We’ve been at the bottom for so long,” said Chandler, who guides the boys’ volleyball team in the spring.

“It’s time to start moving up and being a playoff contender.”

The Coyotes count on ball control and defense. Serving and passing are stressed in practices.

Although the playoffs are unlikely this season, Chandler and assistant Matt Simons want CHS to be competitive.

Chandler has coached volleyball for 16 seasons, with previous stints at Concordia University and Laguna Beach Volleyball Club.

“The biggest thing is for everyone to buy into a team effort,” Chandler said. “We’re not going to get as many athletes as the others. If we have good kids who work hard, it’s not a problem.

“There’s been a good effort this summer. It seems like they’re buying into it. It’s fun to build something.”

THOUSAND OAKS

LANCERS

The Lancers have won four of the last five league titles under the guidance of head coach James Park.

There’s no guarantee they’ll continue the trend, Park warned.

“Repeating is going to be a challenge,” the sixth-year coach said.

Four Thousand Oaks players were nursing injuries at press time. TOHS has developed depth, however, to counteract the injury bug.

Rachel Cookus and Karis Schneider, the Marmonte co- MVPs, lead the way.

Cookus is a savvy libero who regularly makes spectacular plays. Schneider is a strong allaround outside hitter.

Senior middle blocker Summer Esseff can hit any type of quick set while gliding across the court with nimble footwork.

Junior outside hitter Kendall Frisoli blocks and hits well.

Senior Jillian Johnson has moved from starting middle blocker to opposite. Junior opposite Danae Theiler, senior setter Erin Foley and junior setter Chelsea Cooper add firepower.

The Lancers hope senior setter Hannah Porter can return by midseason from an ankle injury.

“Our goals are to win the league and then try, like every year, to go as deep as possible in the playoffs,” Park said. “The goal is to play as a team and try to grow as a team.”

NEWBURY PARK

PANTHERS

Newbury Park hopes to grow up quickly.

“It’s a younger team,” said head coach Chip Tarleton. “There’s going to be an experience drop-off. It’s a matter of how well they come together and how quickly they come together.”

When they’re clicking, the Panthers run a dynamic, quickhitting offense.

Amber Wiswell is the rock in the front row. The senior, nicknamed the Beast, is a senior middle blocker.

“ She’s very strong, very powerful,” the coach said. “I expect her to be a dominating force at the net.”

Morgan Collet, a senior setter who’s in her fourth year on varsity, will steady the youngsters.

“She’s a strong, passionate leader,” Tarleton said of Collet.

The Panthers are underdogs, but they won’t go down without a fight.

“My competitive side tells me we’re just as capable of getting first as anyone else,” the coach said. “That’s what we strive for— to put banners up in the Newbury Park High School gym. Whenever we start the season, we hope to win our league, win CIF and win state.

“I grew up watching ‘Hoosiers.’ The underdog has a chance. That’s why you have underdogs and upsets in the same letter of the alphabet.”

ROYAL

HIGHLANDERS

The Highlanders finished second in league last fall.

They hope injuries won’t derail this season before it starts.

Three starters—opposite Alyssa Chulak and middle blockers Kalle Mulford and Brea Rossi— are out indefinitely with injuries, said head coach Heidi Buonauro.

Royal’s stayed mentally strong during this Hell Week of two practices per day.

“They’re really a hardworking group,” Buonauro said on Tuesday. “There’s a lot of potential. Watching them improve so far in two days of practice has been inspiring and encouraging.”

The coach said this team hustles every play.

“They don’t give up on balls,” she said. “We’re still working on executing consistently and limiting mistakes.”

Becca Kremer, a senior setter, is a steady presence in the lineup.

Senior libero Emily Plowman has “great ball control and a great attitude,” Buonauro said.

Stephanie Underwood, a senior outside hitter, is a solid striker. Senior opposite Savannah Hanks, sophomore middle blocker Erin Scuoler and junior middle blocker Brooke Sabin have filled in admirably for the sidelined Highlanders.

Senior outside hitter Crystal Parks has improved.

SIMI VALLEY

PIONEERS

The Pioneers return a year older and a year wiser.

Last season, Simi Valley shared fourth place with Agoura, Newbury Park and Moorpark.

Simi Valley bested MHS but lost to Agoura—which defeated the Panthers—in a four-team, season-ending tournament with one playoff spot on the line.

This season, Simi Valley hopes to reach the postseason.

“We’re going to compete,” third-year head coach Jason Sherman said.

Good things happen when Simi Valley takes advantage of its size along the front row.

“We try to minimize our mistakes,” Sherman said. “We’re a very big team. We do our best blocking and hitting.

“We need to pass and play good defense to give our hitters the opportunity to hit.”

Audrey Hession, a 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter, is an offensive threat who’s going to start for the third straight season.

Torrey Campbell, a senior outside hitter over 6 feet, is a strong all-around player with a potent serve.

Kelley McLain, a 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter, also spends time at opposite.

Sophomore setter Jenny Martin is an up-and-coming talent in the Marmonte.

MOORPARK

MUSKETEERS

To the Musketeers, this playoff drought feels like an eternity.

Moorpark reached the playoffs in six straight seasons with head coach Brendan Hanson. For the past two years MHS has missed the dance.

“The goal is still to get back to the playoffs,” Hanson said. “That’s always the goal.”

Moorpark returns the bulk of its starting lineup.

Kayla Sears is one of the league’s best players. An athletic 6-foot-2 senior opposite, Sears can jump out of the gym and move with ease on the floor.

The versatile Ashlea Smith led Moorpark in blocks and digs last year.

Smith played middle blocker for Moorpark and outside hitter for her club team, but the senior will be a force wherever she plays.

Senior middle blocker Star Tucker has improved dramatically, the coach said. Libero Megan Yancey is another senior leader.

Moorpark’s expecting big things from junior setter Brooke Rudebusch. Outside hitters Izzy Sagely, a junior, and sophomore Mariah Bell add punch.

“Last year was a bit disappointing,” Hanson said.

“The players have come back focused. I’ve definitely seen more focus and determination in these girls.”


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