Sea Kings seek return to the top

The Corona del Mar High girls’ volleyball team has traditionally been a CIF Southern Section title contender, not a fifth-place finisher in the Pacific Coast League that fails to make the playoffs.

It’s the latter result that Coach Bill Christiansen and the Sea Kings will attempt to shake off this season.

Corona del Mar won the CIF Southern Section Division III-A title in 2004, but finished 6-7 in the Pacific Coast League last season to narrowly miss postseason action.

Christiansen said he thinks Corona del Mar is in excellent position to rebound, especially after only losing three seniors in Taylor Beauchamp, Alexine Rodenhuis and Marisa Scott.

“We have A-plus talent at every position, all the way through all 12 girls,” said Christiansen, now in his 10th year at the CdM helm.

“We’re super-balanced offensively and defensively, and one of the tallest teams in CIF, along with Mira Costa. I think we’re going to be one of the best three or four teams in CIF.”

All four of the Sea Kings’ returning starters — middle blocker Kasey Kipp, outside hitters Juliane Piggott and Brooke Terry, and setter Kelly Christian — are seniors. All four are 5-foot-11or taller.

Kipp, 6-1, was a first-team All-Pacific Coast League selection last season. She will attend UC Santa Barbara next year on a volleyball scholarship.

“She is one of the premiere middle blockers in the United States,” Christiansen said. “She brings a lot of leadership to the front row. She excels in blocking and has a great attitude.”

Piggott, 6-3, is fresh off a summer in which her club team, TCA of Fountain Valley, won the 18-and-under girls’ gold division championship at the Junior Olympics. She was also a second-team all-league performer last season.

“Juliane’s one of the better hitters in the state,” Christiansen said. “I’d rank her in the top five. She has dramatically improved. She terminates balls, and teams fear her.”

Terry, 5-11, was a second-team all-league selection last year, and Christian, also 5-11, has plenty of varsity experience as the team’s setter.

Defensive specialists Shannon Johnson and Tess Hodges are also seniors.

The team also has four juniors, including opposite hitter Kara Chatham, defensive specialists Ashley Pries and Sarah Sullivan, and setter Jamie Lawson.

Sophomore middle blocker Conley Kipp, Kasey’s younger sister, adds size at 6-4. Freshman Madison Smith, a setter and defensive specialist, rounds out the squad.

Christiansen said the team, especially the seniors, wants to prove that last year was an aberration. They’re on the right track, after finishing fifth in a 20-team pool at the Ann Kang volleyball tournament in Waikiki, Hawaii. earlier this month.

“Idon’t think they’re looking back,” he said. “Last year was a fluke. If we would have won our last [league] match, we would have finished third instead of fifth. And we were the only team in our league to beat Laguna Beach.”

The Breakers have shifted to the Orange Coast League, but Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar were both moved to Division II this season. That makes their meeting at CdM on Sept. 27 huge, Christiansen said, as a potential playoff preview.

“CIF has made two super divisions, and we’re in one of them with La Salle, Bishop Montgomery, Laguna Beach and some others,” Christiansen said.

In league, Christiansen said his team should be the favorite, although University won the CIF Southern Section Division II-A championship last season. Other teams in the league now include Beckman, Irvine and Laguna Hills.

Christiansen, who has been coaching high school girls’ volleyball for 27 years, said this year’s squad is potentially one of his best.

“Our girls just got a year older and taller, so I think this could be one of our biggest years,” he said. “I’m extremely optimistic.”

The Sea Kings open their regular season with a home match against Dana Hills on Sept. 7.

THE SEA KINGS

1 Sarah Sullivan Jr.

2 Madison Smith Fr.

4 Shannon Johnson Sr.

5 Kasey Kipp Sr.

9 Tess Hodges Sr.

15 Kara Chatham Jr.

16 Brooke Terry Sr.

17 Kelly Christian Sr.

22 Juliane Piggott Sr.

30 Jamie Lawson Jr.

33 Ashley Pries Jr.

36 Conley Kipp So.

Coach: Bill Christiansen

(10th year)