Hoover Fills In Nicely Wherever Calvary Chapel Needs Her

The people at Calvary Chapel credit God and friendship for the opportunity to play in their fourth consecutive state girls’ volleyball final today at Cal State Fullerton.

But there is something else at work as well: Whitney Hoover.

In three years playing for the team, Hoover will have appeared in three state finals, playing three positions.

Hoover was at Corona del Mar as a freshman in 1993, when Calvary Chapel lost to San Jose Archbishop Mitty in the final.

In 1994, she played as a back row specialist and helped Calvary Chapel defeat Orinda Miramonte. Last season, at outside hitter, she helped Calvary Chapel defeat Linden.

This season, Hoover is the Eagles’ setter. She will lead Calvary Chapel (20-7) in a rematch with Linden (29-5) at 11 a.m. today as the Eagles try to win their third consecutive Division IV title.

Hoover’s ability to shuffle positions has been key to the Eagles’ success.

“Sometimes, it’s hard because you never know what you’re going to be playing,” she said. “but it’s easy to adapt. Wherever there’s a need, I can help.”

But one versatile player does not a state champion make.

The Eagles also have been well-stocked over the years with extremely talented players. Last season, Calvary Chapel was led by first-team All-Southern Section selections Jenny Roberts, currently a middle blocker at Hawaii, and Kensey Zulueta, now a setter at Florida State.

In 1994, the Eagles were led by Southern Section Division IV most valuable player Courtney Owens, now an outside hitter at Colorado, and Lynn Lovingier, an outside hitter at Tennessee.

It is remarkable for a Division IV high school to send even one player to an NCAA Division I volleyball program. The Eagles have sent four players in the past three years. None of the current players have made college commitments yet.

The question is, how do you find so many talented players at such a tiny school? Calvary Chapel has an enrollment of 680.

“We don’t [find them]. We just have to train them,” Calvary Chapel Coach Jim Downey said.

Many players are drawn to the school because of their religious beliefs. Downey said the common religion helps the players bond.

“I look back on the last four years and every team is different, but they have one common denominator and that’s our faith,” Downey said. “They have a love for God which unites us as a team and I think God’s love for them guides them.”

Hoover found her way to Calvary Chapel after she “accepted God” into her life at the encouragement of several teammates on the Orange County Volleyball Club and transferred to Calvary Chapel as a sophomore.

“I had no idea about the volleyball team,” she said.

Hoover was already a highly skilled player when she arrived at Calvary Chapel, having played with the Orange County club since she was in seventh grade.

In volleyball, the talent of a high school team rests largely on how many club players are on the roster. Five Eagles play for the prestigious Orange County club and four others play for different clubs.

Hoover and Eagle teammate Jill Overby have been club teammates for several years, winning the Davis tournament in 1995 in their age group.

Hoover and Overby are the only two seniors on the Eagle roster and they are the only returning full-time starters from last season. Before the season began, both were unsure how the team would come together.

It was at a pizza joint on Catalina Island in September that Overby saw things begin to click. Overby, a strong 6-1, middle blocker, and T.J. Gause, a lanky, outside hitter grabbed a microphone and began to sing along to Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog.”

Overby looked out at her new teammates enjoying themselves and got a good feeling about the upcoming year.

“We knew everybody, but [only superficially], but that trip was a lot of fun,” Overby said. “They become like your family.”

For Overby, part of her family is on the team. Overby’s younger sister, Kelly, starts at outside hitter as a freshman.

“Kelly is a major talent,” Downey said. “She is very strong, very athletic.”

Amy Owens, a sophomore, is the other outside hitter and Christi Kimmel, a freshman, has taken over the middle blocker spot vacated by Roberts. Kimmel and Jill Overby are the team’s only two middle blockers.

“Which means if either one of them gets hurt, we have no other middle blockers,” Downey said.

There’s always Hoover.