PREP PREVIEW ’92 / Six Teams to Watch : Capistrano Valley

Coach: John Gipe (11th year).

1991: 16-4, 9-1 in South Coast League, tied El Toro for league title, the Cougars’ third; reached Southern Section 5-A semifinals.

Key returners: Erin Daley, Jr., 5-5, back row; Kelly Gallup, Sr., 5-11, middle blocker; Kelly Morrow, Sr., 5-8, setter; Vanessa Schweinsberg, Sr., 5-9, outside hitter; Shelly Smith, Sr., 5-9, outside hitter; Stephanie Wichmann, Jr., 5-8, outside hitter.

Key newcomers: Lena Malinowski, Jr., 5-10, middle blocker; Nikki Guillen, Jr., 5-5, outside hitter; Rachel Simpson, Jr., 6-0, middle blocker.

Outlook: Gipe hopes the Cougars will carry the momentum from winning their third consecutive summer league title into the regular season. “This team totally amazes me,” he said. “I didn’t think we would be that good.” Hitters Tobi Roquemore (Rice) and Ally Carpenter (Cal State Long Beach) have graduated, and Smith and Wichmann will have to pick up the slack on offense.