1995 PREP PREVIEW: GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL : MATER DEI

Coach: Pete West (second year).

1994: 13-5 overall, 8-2 in the South Coast League; finished second in South Coast League and lost to Laguna Beach in the first round of the Southern Section Division playoffs.

Key returners: Kelli Daze, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.; Anna Geber, 5-9, outside hitter, Sr.; Roberta Gehlke, 5-11, outside hitter, Sr.; Laurie Layton, 5-8, setter, Sr.; Nicole Noya, 6-2, middle blocker, Sr.; Ami Orr, 5-9, outside hitter, Sr.

Key newcomers: Amy DeCinces, 6-1, middle blocker, So.; Katie Rice, 5-5, setter, So.; Maureen Thompson, 5-9, outside hitter, So.; Lauren Warner, 6-0, middle blocker, Fr.

Outlook: The Monarchs will miss Abby Daniels, a first-team All-South Coast League selection who went to the University of Pennsylvania, but they have five returning senior starters. DeCinces and Warner will battle for the middle blocker spot vacated by Daniels. Gehlke is the star, and she has an experienced group around her. “The strength of our program is that we have 10 players on our team who will contribute, not just one or two,” West said.