Sailors intent on making run at TOC crown

The only way to get farther than you have traveled before is to run for a longer period of time.

That is the Newport Harbor girls’ field hockey team’s philosophy under first-year varsity coach Devon Kelly.

In 2005, the Sailors lost in the Los Angeles Field Hockey Assn. Tournament of Champions title match.

This season the focus is on conditioning.

“My goal this year is to have them in the best shape they’ve ever been in,” Kelly said. “And they are.”

The team has responded, running three-to-five miles a day in August before organized workouts could begin.

“It tears you down at the end of the game, getting tired,” Kelly said. “It will take a lot of hard work. They have to stay in shape all year. They know it. They’re good with that. They feel really good. If you asked them if this is the best shape they’ve been in, they’d say ‘Absolutely.’ ”

Five players return from last season, including senior Rachel Foster who was named to the All-Tournament of Champions team as a junior. The midfielder is entering her third varsity season.

Seniors Hayley Ayres and Jackie Sanchez both return to help bolster the midfield.

“Hayley is scrappy,” Kelly said. “She just goes after the ball.

“Rachel is fast. She’s just like Hayley. She never gives up.”

Like Foster, returning senior Robin Ibetson learned from a sister who played the sport.

“Robin is a natural leader on the field and off the field,” Kelly said of the forward. “She always doubles back on defense if necessary.”

Senior Jessica Pizarek returns to play goalkeeper on an 18-player team that features four juniors and a sophomore.

“[Pizarek] has really improved since last year,” Kelly said. “She has improved her hand-eye coordination. Goalkeeper is a tough spot to be in. She gets hit a lot. You can’t get anybody who is scared. I would say it is one of the toughest positions to fill.”

Kelly wants to center the Sailors’ offense around ball movement.

“We want to pass more,” she said. “It makes for a little quicker game that keeps everybody involved. That’s what I hope will change with the team.”

Once again, Marina, which has defeated the Sailors in three title games since 2000, including last season, will be a leading nemesis, Kelly said.

Newport Harbor has one scheduled meeting with the Vikings — on the road Sept. 19 — and will likely face the defending champions twice more in tournaments.

“They are always tough,” Kelly said.

Kelly said the Sailors’ starting lineup is filled with talent but void of a dominant player.

That lineup includes junior forwards Katie Kay and Samantha Hill, senior forward Jessie Nix, senior midfielder Amanda Shaw, and senior defenders Lauren Nordstrom, Clea O’Kieffe and Annabelle Storch.

“This team has no immediate standout players, as in years past,” Kelly said. “They are all gifted players, but there is not a powerhouse. It’s really a true team. It will help the team by being able to play together. It will make for good games all season.”

Seniors Kylieth Harrison, Samantha Kuhns and Lila Todd, junior Claire Josephson and sophomore Shannon Rohan also are expected to contribute.

The Sailors open the season Tuesday against Huntington Beach at the Harper Community Center at 3:15 p.m.

“They’re a physical team,” Kelly said. “I feel very confident because [these players are] in such good shape both mentally and physically. [The past] doesn’t bug them. They are ready to go. They’re excited about the team’s potential. I don’t see much that’s in our way.”

THE SAILORS

Hayley Ayres Sr.

Rachel Foster Sr.

Kylieth Harrison Sr.

Samantha Hill Jr.

Robin Ibetson Sr.

Claire Josephson Jr.

Katie Kay Jr.

Samantha Kuhns Sr.

Jessie Nix Sr.

Lauren Nordstrom Sr.

Clea O’Kieffe Sr.

Jessica Pizarek Sr.

Shannon Rohan So.

Jackie Sanchez Sr.

Amanda Shaw Sr.

Annabelle Storch Sr.

Katy Storch Jr.

Lila Todd Sr.

Coach: Devon Kelly

(first year)