Close-ups

A weekly look at some of the Southland’s top high school athletes:

FOOTBALL

P.J. VALLIER

Sr., Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills

* Then: Vallier got his chance as a sophomore when an injury sidelined the starting tailback in Week 1. He made the most of it by rushing for more than 160 yards, and he continued to impress, even in the difficult South Coast League. He finished with 1,237 yards and five touchdowns in 251 carries. “When we saw him have the same success in league games, we knew we had something special,” Coach Jason Negro said. Last season, even with opponents keying on him, he rushed for 1,755 yards and 19 touchdowns in 254 carries.

* Now: Vallier, 5 feet 9 and 205 pounds, has been a workhorse for Trabuco Hills with 1,549 yards and 14 touchdowns in 216 carries. No other Mustang has more than 14 carries, and his 216 are third-most in the state. He’s fourth in the state in total yards, and his 221 yards per game average is fourth among state rushers who have played at least three games. He is a key reason Trabuco Hills (5-2, 2-0 in league play) is tied with San Clemente and Mission Viejo, its opponent tonight, in the South Coast League. He has broken every school rushing record except for the longest run from scrimmage. A two-way starter the last two years, Vallier is focusing on offense this year and plays sporadically on defense. He’s had no formal scholarship offer, though recruiters from a number of Western Athletic and Big Sky Conference schools have been in contact.

* Quote: “He’s got breakaway speed, but he’s a power back,” Negro said. “He gets up inside the tackles and runs people over. Rarely does one person take him down.”

--PETER YOON

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GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

BRYANA CAREY

Sr., Newport Harbor

* Then: Carey’s lifelong love of volleyball was fostered by her parents, who founded the Irvine-based Saddleback Volleyball Club. The younger sister of former Newport Harbor standout Jennifer Carey, who is now an assistant coach at Texas A&M;, Bryana took to volleyball just like the rest of her family, although she spent time in swimming and soccer as well. A Sea View League second-team selection last year, Carey helped the Sailors advance to the semifinals of the 2004 Southern Section Division II-AA playoffs. Her age-group teams also won national club titles at the Reno Volleyball Festival the last two years.

* Now: The lone senior in a starting lineup that includes four sophomores and a junior, Carey has helped Newport Harbor (18-7 overall, 8-0) take over first place in the Sea View League and make respectable showings in two of the country’s most prestigious tournaments. The 6-foot opposite hitter, a three-year varsity player, was an all-tournament selection at the Chicago Mother McAuley and Santa Barbara events. Newport Harbor placed ninth in both tournaments. She has committed to William and Mary.

* Quote: “We’ve got a bunch of quiet kids, and then we’ve got her,” Coach Dan Glenn said. “She’s the definite voice of our team. She’s a leader, and the other kids play better around her.”

--LAUREN PETERSON

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BOYS’ WATER POLO

JESSEE WARKENTIN

Sr., Riverside Poly

* Then: When Warkentin arrived at Poly as a freshman, he immediately earned playing time with the varsity. With the support of his teammates, he moved into a starting role about halfway through the season, helping the Bears reach the Southern Section Division V final. He remained a starter as a sophomore but was suspended from the team early in his junior year for breaking school rules. He was eventually cleared to return last season and helped the Bears win the Division V title.

* Now: A four-year starter, Warkentin has helped the Bears, ranked No. 1 in Division V, emerge as one of the Southland’s better teams. He was voted among the top two goalkeepers last month in the South Coast tournament at Newport Harbor, where he led the Bears to a fifth-place finish in a field that included most of the top teams in Division I and II. Their only setback of the tournament was a 6-5 loss to eventual finalist Newport Harbor. The Bears (17-3) avenged their worst loss of the season Monday, beating Anaheim Servite, 12-8, in a round-robin game in the Servite tournament.

* Quote: “Jessee has had some opportunities afforded him, and he continues to take advantage,” said Rodney Hoopai, his counselor at Poly and father of one of his longtime teammates. “Water polo has been his reason for being.”

--DAN ARRITT