Renegades Hold Court in Davis

Renegades, indeed.

The Westlake-based girls’ club team known as the Renegades went to the recent Volleyball Festival in Davis, Calif., with one objective.

“To play at center court and, obviously, try to win it,” Coach Bill O’Neill said.

They did and, well, they did.

The Renegades topped Laguna Beach in the final of the 16-and-under division, played before more than 8,000 fans.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the place for the parents,” O’Neill said. “And the kids were ecstatic.”

There were 336 teams in the Renegades’ division representing 19 states and Puerto Rico.

Most of the Renegades are from Westlake High, including Brooke Rundle and Heather Hutchison. Courtney Miller, who recently transferred from Thousand Oaks to Westlake, was a factor, as was Calabasas’ sophomore Brooke Niles.

*

Yes, it’s July, but it’s never too early to speculate.

High school coaches have six weeks to get their girls’ teams ready, but early returns favor Westlake.

Miller’s transfer gives Westlake, which last year won a share of its first Marmonte League title in a decade, some extra punch.

Division III State champion Harvard-Westlake lost four starters but still has Christine Bohle, Malaika Naulls and Nicole Carrico, who were impressive at the recent Junior Olympics.

“Nothing’s going to make up for last year,” Coach Jess Quiroz said. “But we’ll be right up there with the others.”

Thousand Oaks could also be in the mix despite losing Miller. The Lancers have 6-3 senior middle blocker Jenn Detmer, one of the best college prospects in the nation. Detmer is spending part of the summer in Colorado on an all-star club team that boasts some of the best players in the nation.

*

The Division I mountain still needs to be scaled, but Ryan Hill has a pretty good start.

At the Junior Olympics earlier this month, Hill, who will be a senior at Crespi, picked up experience and his game.

One of four juniors on the top-ranked Los Angeles Athletic Club team, Hill split time at middle blocker and improved his blocking and back-row defense.

“Without club, I’d be decent, but I don’t know if I’d be a college prospect,” Hill said. “Maybe I would be, but I wouldn’t be a serious consideration.”

Last season at Crespi, Hill was indestructible at times, invisible at others. He was an All-Mission League second-team pick.

“It was disappointing, but because I missed two big [matches], I understand it,” said the 6-5 Hill, who skipped matches against Alemany and Loyola because of illness.

Next season, Crespi should challenge for the league title. The Celts tied for third last season and were eliminated from the playoffs by a coin flip.

“If we don’t make the playoffs there’s a big problem,” Hill said. “No more coin flips.”

*

More from the speculation file:

The Chatsworth boys’ team reached the City Section 4-A Division semifinals last season and could go further next spring.

Middle blockers Chris Wilson and Stephen Wiessner had good club seasons and Sylmar transfer Kevin Dawes is a bonus.

“Could be interesting,” said Chatsworth Coach Bud Dow, who pointed out that three-time defending champion University is still the team to beat.

*

James Park resigned in May as boys’ coach at Thousand Oaks to spend time with his family. But his hectic lifestyle continues.

Park, who will continue coaching the Cal Lutheran women’s team, is conducting a series of camps for girls and teaching summer school at Thousand Oaks.

“I wish there were a few more hours in the day,” Park said. “Something comes up all the time.”