1994 Prep Preview: Girls’ Volleyball : Six Teams to Watch : Mater Dei

Coach: Pete West (first year).

1993: 10-4 overall, 7-3 in the South Coast League. Lost to Corona del Mar in the first round of the Division I section playoffs.

Key returners: Abigail Daniels, 5-11, middle blocker, Sr.; Anna Geber, 5-8, outside hitter, Jr.; Roberta Gehlke, 5-10, outside hitter, Jr.; Laurie Layton, 5-7, setter, Jr.; Nicole Noya, 6-2, middle blocker, Jr.; Heather Wride, 5-9, outside hitter, Sr.

Key newcomers: Amy Orr, 5-8, outside hitter, Jr.; Keri Porter, 5-11, outside hitter, Jr.

Outlook: West was the former men’s volleyball coach at Concordia and has a one-year contract. He takes over for Laura Kennedy, who is on maternity leave. West inherits a team that is “evenly balanced,” he said. “But we still have to mature. We start only two seniors, so we’re probably a year away from the best we can be.” Still, the Monarchs should battle with Capistrano Valley and Dana Hills for league supremacy. Daniels and Wride are the lone seniors who will play key roles. Gehlke is the team’s most dynamic player and Noya, at 6 feet 2, teams with Daniels for a solid middle.