CLOSE-UPS

SOFTBALL

CRISTEN LEE

Sr., Fullerton Rosary

Then: The versatile 5-foot-3 senior has played every position except first base, and only one has been for fun -- she pitched a perfect inning to protect a 22-run lead as a sophomore. The .352 career batter has been similarly flawless in the positions of necessity, including six games at catcher last season when Shannon Pooler was injured. Lee primarily played third base as a freshman and sophomore, and her natural position, second base, as a junior. She made only two errors in 120 chances last season, batted .402, scored 20 runs and drove in 16.

Now: The team’s best infielder, Lee moves this season to shortstop and drops from second to third in the batting order. She has driven in a first-inning run in Rosary’s first three games, in which she was five for eight with three walks, a double and five runs. “She has a level of technical proficiency that most kids don’t have, so you know you’re going to get the precision every time the ball is hit to her,” Coach Tom Tice said. “Her positioning and execution are always flawless. Add to that the element of making a spectacular play here and there, and you’re getting extreme quality from whatever position she plays.” Lee, who will attend San Luis Obispo, has committed only 11 errors in three seasons.

Quote: “It’s amazing how Cristen does everything perfectly in softball but can’t slide normally to save her life,” Rosary left fielder Katie Chifcian said.

Martin Henderson

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BASEBALL

JUSTIN JACOBS

Jr., Chino

Then: Jacobs remains the only freshman who has played as the full-time shortstop in Coach Bob Sheehan’s 22 seasons at the school. Batting third that season, Jacobs batted .302 with three home runs and 18 runs batted in. He batted .365 last season with no home runs, 11 RBIs and seven stolen bases for Chino, which finished 16-10. Last summer, he led his travel team, the Chino Titans, to a gold medal at the Junior Olympic West championships in Peoria, Ariz. He also led a team to the semifinals of the Colt World Series for 15- and 16-year-olds in Lafayette, Ind.

Now: Jacobs has nine hits in 14 at-bats, including six for extra bases. He also has nine RBIs and five stolen bases to help the Cowboys to a 4-0 start. In a doubleheader Saturday against visiting Corona, he drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning of the opener with a single to give Chino a 4-3 victory, then followed with three hits, including a two-run home run, to lead the Cowboys to a 7-6 victory in the nightcap. Jacobs, 6 feet 2 and 175 pounds, is on pace to be only the fourth four-year position player under Sheehan; a list that includes San Diego Padre infielder Geoff Blum.

Quote: “The biggest thing is, he’s a decent-sized guy with an arm and can run,” Sheehan said. “We look at him for a lot of things. He hits third and makes our offense go.”

Dan Arritt

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BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

JOEY DYKSTRA

Jr., Redondo

Then: Dykstra, who transferred from Manhattan Beach Mira Costa at the semester break in February, came off the bench as a sophomore for half of last season before he became academically ineligible. The 6-foot-4 outside hitter, whose father, Joe Dykstra, was selected in the ninth round of the 1983 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, has talent that translates equally well on the beach or indoors. He and former Long Beach Wilson standout Dustin Watten, now at Long Beach State, won a California Beach Volleyball Assn. tournament last summer. In September, Dykstra teamed with Mark Van Zwieten of Pompano Beach, Fla., to place ninth in the FIVB Junior World Championships.

Now: Enrolled in an independent-study program through Redondo, Dykstra has made an immediate difference for the Seahawks and says his grades have improved to a B average. He is an effective option for setter Anthony Spittle and a nice complement to 6-7 sophomore middle blocker Austin Zahn. On Monday, Dykstra was selected the most valuable player of the Redondo tournament, which the Seahawks (7-0) won for the first time with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-21 victory over Santa Ana Mater Dei. Dykstra had 14 kills and 12 digs against the Monarchs. Next is the prestigious San Diego Francis Parker tournament.

Quote: “When he gets set, I feel good,” Coach Tommy Chaffins said. “I know good things are going to happen.”

-- Lauren Peterson