Girls volleyball preview: Eagles set to surprise

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Estancia High girls volleyball coach Tracey Heims has

high expectations for her Eagles this season. The second-year coach wants

to leave a memorable impression for opponents before Estancia exits the

Pacific Coast League for the Golden West League next year.

Though the Eagles have started the season 0-2, Heims remains confident

Estancia will make opponents remember the Eagles.

“I expect a lot this season,” Heims said. “We worked hard during the

summer. This is our last season in the (PCL) and I really want us to

surprise the teams before we leave.”

The Eagles plan to have senior Arlis Reynolds lead the sneak attack.

She is Estancia’s team captain and a third-year varsity performer.

Reynolds will work a bit of double duty this season, focusing on

middle blocker and setter roles.

“She gives the team direction,” Heims said of Reynolds. “She is the

most experienced player on the team. And not only does she lead

talent-wise, but with her hard work. She really gives everyone

inspiration.”

Senior Melanie Tanielu is in the leadership role for the Eagles. Heims

noted vast improvements in Tanielu and is excited to see the results

unfold in the weeks to come.

Estancia’s hope for the future comes from players like freshman

Courtney Fletcher, Heims said.

Fletcher provides experience and skill as she has a club team

background.

“(Fletcher is) aggressive,” Heims said. “She’s starting for us and

she’s bringing a lot of enthusiasm on the team and we need that.”

Before the Eagles lost their first two matches, they opened with a

three-game sweep over Saddleback in a scrimmage game. Heims said, the

victory provided much confidence for Estancia and it should last into the

PCL season, especially because the Eagles return seven varsity players

from last year.

With Reynolds and Tanielu fulfilling the leadership roles, seniors

Ashley Brust and Fatima Vasquez will contribute their experience which

might result in team chemistry. Juniors Lucia Flores and Laura Morton,

along with sophomore Breanne Aronson also return for the Eagles and are

supporting the improvement effort.

“They just feel (playing as a team) is a lot more natural on the

court,” Heims said. “Athletically, they have improved, but they seem so

much more like a team on the court. I really think it’s going to be a

more aggressive year for us.”

ESTANCIA HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

8 Arlis Reynolds, middle blocker/setter Sr.

11 Melanie Tanielu, middle blocker Sr.

2 Ashley Brust, backrow specialist Sr.

6 Fatima Vasquez, backrow specialist Sr.

3 Lucia Flores, outside hitter Jr.

10 Laura Morton, outside hitter Jr.

4 Marit Bartsch, outside hitter Jr.

5 Rebecca Kaplan, outside hitter So.

1 Breanne Aronson, setter So.

7 Courtney Fletcher, outside hitter Fr.

Coach: Tracey Heims