Calvary Chapel Volleyball Plays on a Higher Level : Preps: Athletes who opt for parochial atmosphere have led Eagles to prominence and are being recruited by Division I teams.

Newport Harbor is the No. 1 ranked girls’ volleyball team in the county, and some might argue the Sailors are the best in the nation.

But just think, the Sailors could have been better.

That’s because Courtney Owens, an All-Southern Section Division V selection, lives next door to Melissa Schutz, Newport Harbor’s highly touted middle blocker. Although Schutz and Owens are teammates on the Orange County club team, Owens chose to attend Calvary Chapel.

There, Owens and Lynn Lovingier have helped the Eagles reach new heights in girls’ volleyball.

Owens, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, and Lovingier, a 5-9 right-side hitter, are two big reasons the Eagles are ranked seventh in Orange County.

And the two share higher goals--such as the school’s first State volleyball championship--and higher causes.

Owens didn’t choose Calvary Chapel to win volleyball championships and accolades.

“I’ve always gone to small, private schools,” Owens said. “It’s different; there’s a special closeness everyone shares here.”

Lovingier transferred to Calvary Chapel after attending Laguna Hills High as a freshman and sophomore.

“The two schools aren’t comparable,” Lovingier said. “I’m more comfortable here. There aren’t the same peer pressures to deal with and at the public schools, you aren’t free to worship. Here, in a Christian atmosphere, you can. It’s like family.”

Lovingier and Owens have found a haven at Calvary Chapel, and their off-court peace of mind has translated to on-court success.

“The team is very close,” Calvary Chapel Coach Jim Downey said. “Courtney and Lynn are two of our leaders.”

Said Lovingier: “We’re all like sisters. Even the new players fit in so well; it’s the closest team I’ve ever played on.”

Said Owens: “It’s a different type of closeness this team shares. It’s not just volleyball we share and it’s great.”

Although Owens and Lovingier are being recruited by Division I teams, it isn’t the first time a small, private school has vaulted to prominence in the Orange County girls’ volleyball scene.

In 1991 and ‘92, Karen Benkovsky and Kathleen Bunce led Capistrano Valley Christian to consecutive State championships. Both earned Division I scholarships, and both left an impression on Owens.

“We played them in the playoffs when I was a sophomore,” Owens said. “They beat us pretty good.”

Now it’s the Eagles’ turn.

Although they are ranked No. 1 in Division IV, the Eagles aren’t satisfied.

After winning the Division V section championship last season, Calvary Chapel lost to San Jose Archbishop Mitty in the State final. The disappointment carried over to this season when Calvary Chapel, participating in its first Orange County Championships, failed to reach the quarterfinals.

“We didn’t meet our expectations,” Owens said. “But we came together when we won the Redondo tournament last weekend.

“I think last season, we knew we had next year. Now we know we won’t get another chance and we want to do well in CIF and try to win State. We have to take care of business.”

Owens and Lovingier will have to be at their best if the Eagles are to succeed. They have already established they are two of the best to come through Calvary Chapel, and both figure to be the first girls from the school to earn Division I athletic scholarships.

“Both players are so quick that it’s tough for the block to stay with them,” said Charlie Brande, Orange County Volleyball Club coach. “Lynn is a late bloomer and just now she’s starting to put it all together.

“Sometimes you don’t notice Courtney because she’s so smooth. It’s not only her spiking that gets your attention, but the rest of her game too.”

Colorado, UC Santa Barbara and San Diego have noticed Owens, and Lovingier has recruiting visits planned to Tennessee, Montana State and Colorado State.

“Still, I’d like to pick a school I’d like to go to even if I didn’t play volleyball,” Lovingier said.

Said Owens: “I’d like to stay close to home. I know that academics are the most important thing; I can’t play volleyball for a living.

“But the success of our volleyball team is a chance for us to show everyone what our whole school is about.”