April in October, at UCI

Charlie Brande

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, former Newport Harbor High volleyball phenom

April Ross will lead her University of Southern California Trojans in

their 7 p.m. match at UC Irvine’s Crawford Hall.

USC, which is undefeated this season, is ranked No. 1 in the nation by

Volleyball Magazine and No. 4 by the American Volleyball Coaches

Association. April, a freshman, is a major factor in the Trojans’

success.

With the ability to play any of the positions, April lines up in the

middle blocking position, but she also hits outside and sets during

specific rotations. With tremendous ball control skills, she usually

passes most of the balls, also.

During the three-year run of CIF championships that Newport Harbor has

enjoyed, the other outside hitter opposite April was Brenda Waterman.

Brenda, also a freshman, is currently starting for UCI and contributing

greatly.

At barely 5-foot-6, many felt that Brenda would be too short to play

front row in college. For UCI, Brenda plays front and back row. The

understanding that she learned at Newport for success is an inspiration

for her fellow Irvine players.

During this week’s match at Long Beach State, Brenda blocked Long

Beach’s 6-FOOT-7 outside hitter. She is truly a role model for all of

those players who are not so tall.

This match provides an opportunity for local volleyball fans to watch

as April and Brenda continue their college careers. Former Orange County

Volleyball Club player Chanda McLeod is also a mainstay on the UCI

roster.

Other local volleyball freshmen are making their marks at their

colleges. Former All-CIF player from Corona del Mar High, Dimitra

Havriluk, is starting for West Virginia. Another Sea Queen is Jamie

Brownell, who is traveling with her Stanford team.

Krista Dill, another three-year starter for Newport Harbor’s two-time

state champions, is the leading blocker and hitter at Duke University

where she was recently named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the

Week.

Another freshman local, Meghan Feeney, who attended Mater Dei, is

starting for Columbia University, as is Newport Harbor’s Kathy LaVold.

They will play at UCI on Nov. 5.

Other Ivy League teams featuring local talent are Brown and Princeton.

CdM’s Corre Myer is the captain-setter at Brown with Newport’s Laura

Wells controlling the backcourt. At Princeton, CdM’s Marissa Becker is

playing backrow, while Sarah Petry, another out of Corona del Mar, is a

key factor with her all-around play.

Jennifer Carey, former Newport Harbor setter and captain, is directing

the attack for the No. 2-ranked University of Hawaii Wahines. They are

playing very well and she is the catalyst.

More former Newport Harbor players making major contributions to their

college teams include Joanna Fielder at Michigan and Shana Bannert, who

leads Manhattan College (Long Island).

It’s great to keep track of these players as they continue their

volleyball careers in college. Tuesday’s match between USC and UCI, as

well as Nov. 5, when Columbia visits the UCI campus, provides the

opportunity to watch these college players in action.