Heads-Up Player : Kim Pickup of Chatsworth Makes Transition From Soccer to Volleyball

Kim Pickup demonstrates exceptional athleticism in whatever sport she plays.

In soccer, the Chatsworth High junior executes an innovative throw-in technique that features a running start from behind the sideline, a handstand on top of the ball and a front flip before she flings the ball into play. The flip gives Pickup extra momentum and adds 10 yards to her throwing distance.

“It took about a month of practicing to do it right consistently,” said Pickup, who had 10 years of gymnastics training. “. . . I think the other team is a little stunned whenever I do it.”

Pickup’s athletic ability has helped her make a quick adjustment to volleyball.

Though she entered this season with only one year of junior varsity experience, Pickup has evolved into an important member of a Chatsworth team that finished the regular season with only one loss in Northwest Valley Conference play and tied El Camino Real for the West Valley League title. Chatsworth, seeded second in the City Section 4-A playoffs, hosts Narbonne on Monday at 7 p.m. in the first round.

“She’s natural for us at outside hitter because she is such a great leaper,” said Chatsworth Coach Bud Dow, who is in his first season.

Pickup enjoys volleyball, but describes her participation as an athletic diversion from soccer. Twice a week, she practices with the Diamond Bar-Walnut Wild Things, an elite 18-and-under club soccer team. Pickup, 16, is one of the youngest players on the team, which attracts players from Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Pickup’s soccer commitment sometimes forces her to leave volleyball practice early. And the first time it happened, her teammates looked on in disbelief. Fall practice had just begun and the Chancellors were learning a new system under a new coach. The players thought Pickup couldn’t afford to miss practice if she wanted to play on the varsity.

“My teammates didn’t quite understand and they were upset,” Pickup said. “Once they realized I take soccer as seriously as they take volleyball, they understand a lot more when I have to leave.”

So does Dow.

“I know she’s playing for one of the top (soccer) teams around and can respect the commitment she has to soccer,” Dow said.

Chatsworth’s volleyball practices usually end around 4 p.m., giving Pickup just enough time for a quick stop at home to change clothes before streaking across the Valley to Van Nuys for two-to-three-hour soccer practices that begin at 5.

“Sometimes I change clothes in the car,” Pickup said. “But I would never miss soccer. It’s too important to me.”

The Wild Things play games on Saturdays and Sundays at several sites in Los Angeles. Later this month, the team will break for the high school soccer season. Pickup, a fullback, will return to the Chatsworth girls’ soccer team, which lost in the City Section semifinals last season.

After the high school season, Pickup will return to the Wild Things to compete in the State Cup, an organization that includes club teams from throughout Southern California. If Pickup’s team wins the Cup, it qualifies for a regional tournament in Boise, Ida., in July.

Abner Rogers, who has coached Pickup’s club teams for the past three years and guided her under-16 team to a third-place finish in a national tournament in 1993, said Pickup has an excellent chance to earn a college scholarship. “Kim is very athletic. She would do well in any sport she tried,” he said.

Pickup began her volleyball experiment playing exclusively on the front row for the junior varsity last year. She spent most of this year’s preseason working on her passing and defense to make herself an all-around player, and now splits time at outside hitter with Nicole Snell.

“She’s the one who is always diving and hitting the floor for loose balls,” teammate Michelle George said. “Her soccer skills help her anticipate where the ball is going.”

Pickup warms up in volleyball practice by hitting balls with George, also a soccer player, and standout outside hitter Jennifer Hodges. The extra sessions boost her confidence when she plays.

“This season has been a lot of fun for me,” she said. “This is my break from soccer. I just couldn’t sit around. I have to play something.

“It would be nice if could play volleyball past next year but my heart is set on a soccer scholarship. For now, I just want to enjoy it as much as I can and help us win the City championship.”