GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW : Newbury Park Takes Aim at Thousand Oaks and League Championship

The instant Kari Norberg received her schedule for the 1994 girls’ volleyball season, the Newbury Park High setter highlighted the Sept. 29 match against Marmonte League rival Thousand Oaks.

For Norberg and her teammates, the match is more than a meeting of two contenders for the league championship. The Panthers want to show their old coach what he left behind.

In May, Robert Haar left Newbury Park to become coach at Thousand Oaks, a traditional league power.

Haar switched schools for a better teaching opportunity in the Conejo Valley Unified School District but might regret his decision for at least one night later this month.

“There’s going to be a little extra incentive,” Norberg said. “We’ve been together for three years.”

Haar’s replacement, Kevin Judd, stresses an upbeat, never-say-die approach. The players have responded.

The Panthers opened the season last weekend by winning the Calabasas Tournament.

In the semifinals, Newbury Park trailed Burroughs, 13-9, before rallying for six consecutive points to close out the match.

“We’ve decided as a team we’re not going to lose even if we’re down, 14-0,” Norberg said. “I don’t think we could have come back like that last year.”

Haar left Judd, the junior varsity coach at Newbury Park last year, with enough experienced players for Newbury Park to rank among the league’s four strongest teams.

Senior middle blocker Kara McKeown is one of the best hitters in the area. Norberg and two senior outside hitters, Kristine Arguijo and Julie Wasdell are returning starters.

Newbury Park received an unexpected boost when Renee Intlekofer, a 5-foot-9 transfer from Oregon, began practicing with the team last week. Judd said Intlekofer has gained eligibility and might play this weekend.

Intlekofer was considered one of the top basketball players in Oregon last year and has extensive volleyball experience, Judd said.

At Thousand Oaks, Haar replaces Ron Beick, the successful coach who left the area after last season, and has enough talent to join Royal, Newbury Park and defending league champion Agoura as a league favorite.

Senior setter Erin Kelly provides leadership along with Kristen Scott (6-foot-3), a transfer from Simi Valley, and sophomore middle blocker Jenn Detmer (6-2).

“I’m sure (Newbury Park) might have a mental edge when we meet face to face,” Haar said. “But I think we’ll be well prepared.”

Haar isn’t the only area coach to make an intra-league switch. Former Birmingham Coach Bud Dow takes over the program at Chatsworth from Steve Berk, who retired as a teacher last spring.

Berk now coaches at St. Bonaventure.

In 18 years at Birmingham, Dow’s teams reached the City Section semifinals five times. With the team he inherits, he might get another chance.

Chatsworth advanced to the 4-A Division semifinals last year, and senior middle blocker Jennifer Hodges, sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Joseph and senior setter Carla Campo return.

Four players from the City champion junior varsity team will provide depth.

Birmingham baseball Coach Rick Weber replaces Dow and inherits a veteran team. Two-time All-City middle blocker Maricela Valdez returns for her senior year, and the Braves could start six seniors.

Weber coached volleyball from 1981-88 at Bel-Air Prep (now Pacific Hills).

Teams to Watch:

Harvard-Westlake--The Wolverines, a Division I finalist last year, have the chance to duplicate that success with senior Amanda Selby. The 6-foot-2 middle blocker was an All-Southern Section selection last year and is the best returning player in the area.

Selby must adjust to new setter, Jenny Kriste, and a new coach. Jesse Quiroz, boys’ volleyball coach, now leads the girls as well.

Burroughs--The Indians haven’t enjoyed much success in recent years, but Foothill League coaches point to Burroughs as a potential league champion.

The team’s strength is in the middle with 5-foot-8 junior Christy Russell, a two-time all-league player. Senior Suzy Babko is playing her second year of volleyball and may be the most improved player on the team. Senior Trisha Arms provides help from the outside.

Royal--The Highlanders are one of four Marmonte League teams coaches expect to be contenders for playoff spots. Coach Bob Ferguson will rely on the leadership of his daughter, junior setter Heidi Ferguson.

Opposite hitter Michelle Lampkin, junior Kelly Ahern and senior Jessica Cruz are offensive threats. “I think this year we’re more team-oriented,” Bob Ferguson said. “We’ve had good players before but I think this team plays together really well.”

Saugus--Coach Bobbie Estes is rebuilding last year’s Division III finalist team, but has a good start with four players taller than 5-10. “It will be a nice change to have some height. We’ve been lacking there,” Estes said.

Top players are middle blocker Jennifer Phillips (6 feet), outside hitter Amanda Cresap (5-8) and middle blocker Lauren McCartin (5-11).

Quartz Hill--The Rebels are deep and experienced enough to unseat Antelope Valley as the Golden League champion.

Jackie Johnson, Kristy Berger and Heather Harris return from a team that placed second in the league with an 11-4 record. Outside hitter Kristin Sullivan and middle blocker Jaime Hilterbran give Quartz Hill Coach Gary Bilderback several options on offense.

Van Nuys--The two-time defending City Section 3-A champions are restless. Coach Dave Bessler has petitioned the City to move his program to the 4-A Division for the playoffs, but a decision is not expected until the playoff seeding meeting.

If the Wolves stay at the 3-A level, setter Connie Chae and middle blockers Ruby Tovar and Mira Lew will make Van Nuys a favorite for another title. A group of freshmen are ready to provide depth. Van Nuys gets an early test when it meets Chatsworth on Tuesday.

L.A. Baptist--The Knights aren’t ranked in the preseason Division V poll but might soon crack the top 10. Senior outside hitter Darcie Frazier (5-9) was second-team All-Southern Section after leading L.A. Baptist to the semifinals last year.

Frazier will be helped by junior setter Tunde Hrotko and an improved defense.