KIDS to WATCH : MELISSA SCHUTZ

Volleyball Newport Beach Age 14

Melissa Schutz is an avid horseback rider. Her ideal afternoon is spent blazing a trail with a 5-year-old thoroughbred named Mikey.

But Schutz, 14, also is a realist. She loves horses, but she understands there isn’t much demand for 5-foot-10 jockeys.

“I love riding,” she said, “but I know volleyball is my future.”

An eighth-grader at Horace Ensign Junior High in Newport Beach, Schutz stands out as one of the most promising young players in an area rich in volleyball talent.

She has played with the Orange County Volleyball club the past two years and has averaged six kills per match for Ensign’s undefeated eighth-grade team. She will be a freshman at Newport Harbor next fall.

Charlie Brande, who organizes the Orange County club, said Schutz has unlimited potential.

“It’s funny, she’s just starting to realize how good she can be,” Brande said. “She looks surprised when she can do it so well. She reminds a lot of people of (Newport Harbor’s) Maureen McLaren.”

Coaches and fans are already comparing Schutz and Ensign teammate Misty May with Newport Harbor’s Tara Kroesch, a 5-11 outside hitter, and McLaren, a 6-0 middle blocker, who are nicknamed “The Twin Towers.”

Schutz isn’t sure if she and May are ready to become Newport Harbor’s next set of spiking skyscrapers.

“I’m kind of nervous about playing in high school,” Schutz said.

Schutz started playing volleyball on the advice of her father, Andy, a former standout at UCLA. She also watched her older brother, Matt, a Newport Harbor sophomore, play in Brande’s program.

For now, volleyball takes up much of Schutz’s time. Horseback riding has become “just a hobby.”

As for volleyball? “I’m hoping it will get me into college and stuff,” she said.