Calvary Chapel Aims to Return to Top

Calvary Chapel is ready to make another big splash.

After spending three consecutive seasons in the shadow of Olympic League rival Cerritos Valley Christian, which won three consecutive Southern Section titles in that span, Calvary Chapel is ready to reclaim the spotlight.

The Eagles can convince fans further this weekend with a strong showing at the Dave Mohs Memorial tournament, formerly known as the Orange County Championships.

The 52-team tournament begins Friday with pool play in two divisions at Edison, Fountain Valley, Newport Harbor and Ocean View high schools. The tournament continues Saturday and concludes with the Division I and II finals at 6 p.m. next Monday at Edison.

Five years ago, Calvary Chapel won state and section Division IV girls’ volleyball championships with three future Division I college players: Colorado’s Courtney Owens, Tennessee’s Lynn Lovingier and Hawaii’s Jennifer Roberts.

But the 1999 Eagles could be even better. Just listen to Calvary Chapel’s usually understated coach, Jim Downey.

“This is a better ball-control team than in 1994,” said Downey, whose teams have won seven league titles in 11 seasons. “We have seven or eight seniors and maybe a few more people that will contribute. This is a very good team.”

With very good players, including three All-Southern Section Division IV selections from last season: Kelly Overby, Jessi Wright and Christy Kimmel.

Overby is a 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter who is the team’s top college recruit. “She just hammers the ball,” Downey said. “We’re expecting great things from her.”

Wright, a gifted setter, is also getting attention from recruiters, Downey said. At 5-10, Kimmel is an effective middle blocker for the Eagles, although she plays outside hitter for her club team.

Seven players return from last season, including five starters. And senior Halina Stanaland, who transferred from St. Margaret’s after earning Academy League MVP honors last season, should also contribute.

‘I DON’T WANT TO BE LIKE MIKE’

Overby also excelled in basketball and was a reserve for the Eagles, who reached the State Division IV finals last season. But that was her last season of basketball.

“I’m not a big basketball fan,” Overby said. “All you do is run up and down the court, and every shot is the same. In volleyball, you use more skills and there 50 different kinds of shots.”

MOVIN’ OUT

Santa Margarita Coach Eddie Rapp and Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn were longtime roommates at a Newport Beach house, but Glenn moved out to Balboa Island, where he and his wife, Mary, live.

“Dan got married this summer and went yuppie,” Rapp said laughing. “He moved to the only island I know without any waves. He’s calling me for surf reports now.”

Said Glenn: “Yeah, Ed’s got the mansion, but I have the better roommate.”