A Powerful Presence

Mallorie Croal is an intimidating presence on the volleyball court.

Wondering what it must be like to be on the other end of a rocket launched by the 6-foot-1 outside hitter, teammate Allie Kincheloe, Santa Ana Mater Dei’s setter, said, “She can be unstoppable if she gets a good pass.”

Mater Dei is a Southern California power in girls’ volleyball with three consecutive Southern Section championships. Currently ranked No. 1 in the Division II-AA coaches’ poll, the Monarchs (13-2) are on track to win section titles in each of Croal’s four varsity seasons.

It is no coincidence that their success is pegged to Croal, who is headed to Notre Dame.

“She’s one of the best hitters in Southern California,” Coach Karin Thomsen said. “There’s no question about it.”

Croal understands that she is the focus of opponents whenever her team hits the court.

As the Monarchs’ leading hitter, she has often played her best in the biggest matches. In last season’s Southern California Division II regional final, she had a match-high 29 kills and 16 digs to help defeat Manhattan Beach Mira Costa and avenge a regional defeat suffered in her freshman year.

Though the Monarchs lost in three games to San Jose Archbishop Mitty in their first state final, they have designs on hanging a state championship banner in their gym this year.

Heading into this weekend’s prestigious tournament at Torrey Pines, Mater Dei’s only losses have come in five games in a nonleague match at Temecula Chaparral, ranked No. 2 in Division I-A, and in three against San Diego Section power La Costa Canyon in the Las Vegas Durango tournament, where Croal had 67 kills in six matches to earn all-tournament honors.

Croal has either tied or led the Monarchs in kills in every match during a season that has included victories over Los Alamitos, Long Beach Wilson and Los Angeles Marymount. Her status as one of the Southland’s best hasn’t gone to her head.

“My thing is we’re a team,” she said. “Obviously, I know that teams look out for me. I’ve just never been that kind of person who brings attention to herself.”

As much as her presence singles her out on the court, Croal is content to be one of the girls off it.

Erin Wilson, a senior outside hitter at Serra League rival Fullerton Rosary, has been best friends with Croal since both were in kindergarten. Wilson said Croal’s attitude toward others was genuine.

“What’s so neat about her is, she’s an outstanding athlete but she’s so humble about it,” Wilson said. “She’s the first person to give credit to others. Knowing I’m not the athlete she is, she will say, ‘Erin, that was a great match you had,’ after they just beat us.

“She doesn’t like the focus being on her. She’d rather have her team get more of the attention.”

Said her coach, Thomsen: “Her modesty is what gets me. The fact is, she is so superior to many other players but she never acts like she knows more than anybody else.”

Thomsen, in her first season with the Monarchs after coaching for several years at small-school power San Francisco University, said Croal’s game knowledge sets her apart.

“She can hit from anywhere on the court and she can hit any spot on the court,” Thomsen said. “She anticipates how things happen. Whenever she’s not finding success in one area, she can make the adjustment and try something else that will work.”

But it’s her power game that elicits gasps from the crowd.

Kincheloe said when she delivers a great pass and Croal hits the ball at the height at which she can deliver maximum force, it’s a sight to behold.

“It’s kind of like when you hit the ball and you just know you got it,” Croal said. “You can’t even feel the bat.”

Wilson said everybody, including her best friend, realizes what Croal means to Mater Dei’s program.

“Everyone holds her up to a high standard,” Wilson said. “We are constantly focused on her when we play each other. When we got to scout Mater Dei, it’s No. 3 who we worry about having to stop.”