Returning Starters a Net Asset for Cal Lutheran, Master’s

When four starters return from a team that went undefeated in its conference and reached the NCAA Division III final, the coach usually is pretty thrilled.

“Well, it depends on how you look at it,” said Coach James Park, whose Cal Lutheran women’s volleyball team lost only two top players from a squad that had a 27-3 record last season, 12-0 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“I can replace those two players skillwise, but the chemistry they brought to the team is going to be very hard to replace.”

Even without graduated outside hitters Darcy White and Tara Thomas, the Regals should be in great shape.

Tracy Little, the heart of a team that last season won its second consecutive SCIAC title, is back and ready to start another season tonight at 7 when the Regals play host to Concordia University of Irvine at Thousand Oaks.

Little, a 5-foot-9 senior, was SCIAC player of the year and an all-tournament pick at the NCAA championships. She led Cal Lutheran with 414 digs and 363 kills, both school records.

“She is so consistent,” Park said. “She’s is not overly devastating in terms of how hard she hits, but she is extremely solid.”

Jennifer Pappas, a 5-10 junior, is expected to be the team’s other top hitter. Pappas started at middle blocker last season and missed six matches with a back injury. She had 220 digs, 211 kills and 49 blocks and should have no problem making the transition, Park said.

Karen Kasper, a 6-foot senior, will start at middle blocker. Last year, she had 336 kills and 78 blocks even though she only started in only seven games.

Mandy Stephen, a 5-7 transfer from Hancock College, and freshman Anne Guevarra, a 5-1 All-City pick from Sylmar High, should also be top hitters.

Liz Martinez returns as the setter. The 5-3 junior broke her school record with 1,167 assists last year. A second team All-SCIAC pick, Martinez also had 53 aces.

“She still could up her assist record,” Park said. “She can be even better than she was last year and I think she will be.”

In each of his three seasons as coach, Park has elevated Cal Lutheran to a higher level. Getting past the regional playoffs was a first for the team and it has made Park’s job tougher.

“I don’t think anybody expected us to be in the final in ‘95, but we were and now maybe they expect us to,” Park said.

“Now everybody says, ‘If we beat them it’s like being on top of the world.’ ”

The Regals’ SCIAC opener is Sept. 24 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

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The Master’s College, which plays host to Cal State Dominguez Hills in its home opener Sept. 10, has three starters back from a team that last season had a record of 26-16, 8-5 in the Far West Region.

Outside hitters Julie Christenson, Janelle Mason and Wendy Jones are expected to play key roles for the Lady Mustangs, who play in NAIA Division I.

Jones, a 5-10 senior, led the team last season with 348 kills. Christenson was second with 202.

The Lady Mustangs’ top newcomers are Kim Gibson, a 6-foot freshman middle blocker, Leslie Hartlen, a 6-foot sophomore outside hitter, and Kristi Ralston, a 5-10 freshman outside hitter.