HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW : Newbury Park Eager to Turn the Tables on Thousand Oaks

Coach Joe Wortmann learned his team’s opponent only minutes before Newbury Park High’s volleyball match in last month’s tournament at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The knowledge inspired a four-word pregame speech to his players, “You’re playing Thousand Oaks.”

Wortmann’s players knew what that meant--an August start to one of the area’s most interesting volleyball rivalries. Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks met three times last season with the Marmonte League title resting on one match and the Southern Section 2-A Division championship on another. Although Thousand Oaks swept the series, the Panthers expect the brooms to be in their hands this season.

In Thousand Oaks Coach Ron Bieck’s three seasons, the Lancers are unbeaten in seven matches against Newbury Park. Thousand Oaks has won two consecutive 2-A titles, including last season’s four-game victory over Newbury Park.

The league’s move to the 4-A Division only increases the stakes, and both teams are preseason favorites to advance to the playoffs. But Newbury Park could hold the edge. Its top five players return from last season’s 16-5 team, and Thousand Oaks’ three best hitters have graduated.

“I think we can beat them. We’re playing more as a team this year,” said Newbury Park setter Shannon Mutch, a three-year starter and one of the area’s best setters. “They are always our biggest challenge. Mentally, it’s such a strong game for both teams.”

Mutch is the key to Newbury Park’s success. Mutch, a 5-foot, 5-inch senior, earned All-Southern Section recognition last season but is making a comeback from ligament damage to her right knee sustained in a soccer match this summer.

Senior Camille Mitchell, a 5-8 outside hitter, returns after an All-Southern Section season and has the ability to dominate a match as well.

“At the Prep Nationals (at Cal State Dominguez Hills), I looked around the gym and I figured she was probably the most complete player out there,” Wortmann said.

Also returning for Newbury Park are Julie Cartright, a 5-6 outside hitter, Susan Pasquini, a 5-7 right-side hitter, and Marlo Cormier, a 5-7 middle blocker.

Despite the Panthers’ edge in experience, Thousand Oaks is ranked higher--third--in the Southern Section preseason poll. Newbury Park is ranked seventh.

Amy Chellevold, a 5-6 junior setter, starts her third season at Thousand Oaks but her first without her sister Julie, an All-Southern Section outside hitter who has moved on to Ohio State.

Outside hitter Jamie Heggen and setter Shauna Campbell also return. Those three have been instrumental in Thousand Oaks’ dominance over Newbury Park.

“I want to beat them more than anything in the world and Thousand Oaks feels the same way,” he said. “I had parents from both sides coming up to me after the match saying, ‘Boy, this is going to be a great year.’ ”

Other teams to watch:

Agoura: After finishing second in the Southern Section 3-A last season, the Chargers are the division’s top-ranked team despite losing all but one starter to graduation.

Christy Janssen is Agoura’s lone returning starter. The 5-8 junior outside hitter played a supporting role to graduated All-Southern Section middle blocker Shannon Matthews but is expected to lead the Chargers this year.

Louisville: Juniors Marybeth Giordano and Mary Hudson, a pair of 5-8 hitters, return from last season’s San Fernando Valley League champion with Giordano moving from middle blocker to outside hitter.

Should returning setter Lisa Funari tire of setting to Giordano or Hudson, she also will have 5-9 senior Jenny Calfo and 6-1 sophomore Torie Sumner in the middle.

“Torie is a strong hitter and an aggressive blocker,” Coach Barbara Gomperz said. “She adds some pizazz to the team.”

Canyon: All-Golden League setter Nicole Pinkerton has moved to Orange County and only three players return, but Coach Ardyce Masters still believes Canyon can extend its league winning streak from 40 to 50 matches.

“We have the talent but we need the desire,” Masters said. “There’s a lot of new people on this team that haven’t been a part of the tradition.”

Canyon may benefit from an Oregon connection. Michelle and Cristi Ferran have moved to California and will start at outside hitter and setter, respectively.

Village Christian: With only one starter graduated from last season’s Southern Section 1-A semifinalists, the Crusaders are the division’s preseason favorites.

“We should do well, but at this time I wouldn’t rank us No. 1,” Coach Lisa Levoe said. “I think we’ll be very strong, but I don’t want to be top-ranked.”

Heather Hepburn, an All-Southern Section outside hitter and setter, returns for her third varsity season. Also expected to lead the Crusaders are Penny Bailey and Jana Kovar.

L.A. Baptist: After winning 56 consecutive Alpha League matches, the Knights lost three last season and slipped into a second-place tie with Village Christian.

But with five starters returning, L. A. Baptist Coach Cindy Noblitt believes this year’s team, ranked fifth in the 1-A preseason poll, can start another streak.

“This could be a great year for us,” Noblitt said. “They realize they have a lot of potential and they’re experienced enough that the pressure isn’t going to get to them.”

Outside hitter Michelle Christiansen, a 5-9 senior, returns after an All-Southern Section season. Also returning are setters Nicole Rameson and Bernie Verwey, a four-year varsity player, middle blocker Sandly Null and Andrea Lucadam, a junior utility player.