USD’s First, Only Volleyball Coach Steps Down

The first and only women’s volleyball coach at the University of San Diego, John Martin, has stepped down after 17 seasons.

A university official said the search is on for a replacement.

Martin, with a 133-219 career record, is leaving the position to concentrate on his duties as recreation and facilities director.

“John had two other responsibilities that were extremely time-consuming,” said Tom Iannacone, USD’s athletic director.

Iannacone said there is no target date for hiring a replacement but that time is critical. The signing date for recruits is Feb. 14.

One possible candidate is John Cook, who coached at Francis Parker High before becoming an assistant at Nebraska. Nebraska was NCAA runnerup to Cal State Long Beach this past season.

“If John Cook wants the job and goes after it, he’s got it,” said Fred Featherstone, a former U.S. International coach who intends to apply. “He’s got tremendous potential as a women’s volleyball coach. I think he’s the best person possible.”

A drawback to the USD job is that it is not a full-time position.

Colleen Suwara, recently named national community college coach of the year for guiding Grossmont College to the state championship, said she might be interested if the position were full-time but added that she is happy at Grossmont.

According to Suwara, her brother Terry McLaughlin, a coach at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., is also interested in the position.

In a season of firsts, here is another one for the University of San Diego women’s basketball team. The Toreras’ West Coast Conference opener at Pepperdine Friday night (7:30 p.m.) will be telecast by Prime Ticket on a tape-delayed basis at 10:30.

USD’s 10-3 record equals the best WCC mark in pre-conference play. But the Toreras hardly will be at full strength. Two players--Rachal Chism and Rochelle Lightner--are out indefinitely with injuries suffered late last week.

Chism, who was red-shirted last season after surgery on her left knee to repair ligament damage, will have a similar operation on her right knee Monday.

Lightner, who broke her nose twice last season and required postseason surgery, broke it again Saturday at Colorado-Colorado Springs. She played for six weeks last year with a face mask and might do so again this year.

Paula Mascari cracked her contact lens against Colorado and had to leave the game. She has been practicing with glasses this week while a new pair is on order. Christy English (bronchitis) and Julie Lemery (flu) will not practice this week but are expected to play Friday. Chris Enger is nursing a sore hamstring and knee, and Lynda Jones has a sore hamstring.

Said USD Coach Kathy Marpe, “It’s our time, I guess.”

Eric Wynalda, a junior forward, has turned professional and will not return to the San Diego State soccer team next season, said Linda Keck, assistant sports information director. Wynalda, of Westlake, had 35 goals and 25 assists in three seasons. He currently is working out with the U.S. national team in La Jolla.

Jose Luis Noriega of USD is the No. 1-ranked men’s tennis player in the West Region, according to the latest Volvo Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Assn. rankings. USD’s team is eighth.

Suzy Schutz, who led Grossmont College to the state women’s volleyball championship and a 27-1 season, has been chosen the national player of the year by Volleyball Monthly.

“She’s just been a great leader for the team,” Grossmont Coach Colleen Suwara said.

Said Schutz, who played at Grossmont High, “We had a lot of fun this year. We didn’t play for the awards or any of that. I didn’t even know about it until I got it.”

Among others, Schutz is being recruited by Texas Arlington, Arizona State, Florida, Nevada Reno, Georgia and UC Santa Barbara.

Christian Heritage, which on Saturday defeated previously top-ranked Malone College, is tied for the top spot in this week’s National Christian Colleges Athletic Assn. poll with Olivet Nazarene of Kankakee, Ill.

Using computer power rankings, the Hawks (10-4) are tied with Olivet (12-6) with a 44.8 rating. Malone (11-5) was third with 44.3. Southern California College, The Master’s and Biola, three Southland schools with upcoming games against Christian Heritage, round out the top six.

Against Malone Saturday in the Westmont Tournament, Christian Heritage trailed by three with 7:09 left, but the Hawks scored on their last nine possessions to win, 99-92.

On Jan. 20, it will have been 38 days since U.S. International men’s basketball team played a road game. The Gulls’ nine-game home stand concludes Thursday against Point Loma Nazarene.

USD has not played outside its Sports Center for more than a month. Games Thursday (against Pepperdine) and Saturday (Loyola Marymount) will end an eight-game stand.

San Diego State has played five in a row at the San Diego Sports Arena since a pre-Christmas tournament at Alabama Birmingham.

None has played the other during these current home stands.

Imperial Valley (19-0) of the Pacific Coast Conference moved to No. 1 in the state community college men’s basketball poll. Imperial Valley is one of only two undefeated teams in California.