Volleyball experience is crucial Volleyball experience is crucial (August 31, 2005)

Women's soccer opens season this week with some big shoes to fill

by Rick Eymer

Last year, the Menlo College women's volleyball team ended its season with a loss to top-ranked Fresno Pacific in the first round of the NAIA playoffs following one of its most successful seasons ever, and its best since joining the Cal Pac Conference.

This year, Menlo began its season at the Sunbirds Invitational, hosted by Fresno Pacific. The Oaks (1-3) managed one victory in four matches over the weekend but hope the experience - all three losses were to nationally-ranked teams - will act as a springboard to further success in conference play.

"The caliber of competition we saw in Fresno was unlike anything we'll see in the (Cal Pac) so if we reach the playoffs again, these are the teams we'll face," Menlo coach Bill Imwalle said. "Despite the losses, we played well and I was happy that we improved with each match."

The Oaks travel to Cal State Stanislaus for a 7 p.m. match on Wednesday.

Menlo returns five starters from a team which finished 18-0 in conference play, 21-3 overall. Junior outside hitter Sanoe Eselu leads the list of returning starters, while senior setter-outside hitter Kari Shimomura was a second-team all-conference pick and sophomore libero Christa Hewett received honorable mention last year.

Alyssa Chang, who was named the conference Freshman of the Year last year, did not play over the weekend, or isn't on the roster this year.

Sophomore libero Krista Catian and sophomore middle blocker Courtney Adaro also saw a lot of action last year as did sophomore hitter Talia Onosai.

The Oaks are bolstered by the additions of junior Gloria Magana, and freshmen Malia Pires. Abby Wik, and Sara Bungarz.

"Everyone is upbeat and I know the players want to get out there and get going," said Imwalle, the reigning Cal Pac Coach of the Year.

The Oaks lost to No. 24 Biola, 30-11, 20-30, 30-26, 30-15, and No. 17 Azusa Pacific, 30-21, 30-20, 30-28, on Friday.

Saturday, Menlo dropped a match No. 5 Concordia, 30-27, 30-15, 30-28, before beating The Master's College, 30-23, 30-24, 30-28.

Eselu recorded 43 kills and Pires added 41 over the weekend. Wik had nine against Biola, while Shimomura added 27 assists, eight digs and three blocks.

In the win over The Master's, Pires paced the Oaks with 15 kills and Shimomura had a match-high 34 assists. Hewett added 22 digs.

Women's soccer

Menlo will have some pretty big shoes to fill as it prepares for an encore of last year's school best 13-6-1 mark.

"We expect this season to be the best we've had at Menlo by far," Oaks coach Owen Flannery said. "We're excited to get started and eventually challenge for the Cal Pac title."

Seven of the reasons for Flannery's optimism are the number of returning starters, which include Palo Alto High grad Elaine Strauss, last year's team MVP and second-team all-Cal Pac pick Jenny Skinner, and second-team all-Cal Pac selections Joyce O'Leary and Kerry Gaiz.

Palo Alto grad Emira Cowan also returns.

Lost to graduation are Gunn High grad Ja'Net Lawrence, who led the team with 43 points (16 goals, 11 assists) last year, Jessica Courson, and Michelle Lambrechts, who were all named first team all-Cal Pac.

Senior Jonel Thomas should help solidify the defense.

Among the top returning scorers are sophomores Laurin Daniels, Sarah Halicki and Katie Sakai, while sophomore Allison Uribe figures to get some action as goalkeeper. She helped Courson record the ninth shutout (of 10) with a solid second half against Bethany last year.

Sophomores Janea Pimentel and Emily Moore also picked up valuable experience last season.

The Oaks open their season at William Jessup on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Men's soccer

With nine returning starters, Menlo will be able to put last season's disappointing 6-13 record to rest early - hopefully when Cal State Stanislaus visits on Thursday at 3 p.m. in the season opener.

"This marks the most returning players I've had, the most experience I've had and the largest incoming freshmen class I've had," Oaks coach Len Renery said. "We should have a lot of competition for starting spots."

Senior midfielder Armando San Vicente and junior forward Aidan O'Flynn are the top returners. San Vicente was named first team all-Cal Pac and O'Flynn was a second team selection.

Juniors Ramiro Rios and Jarin Beck both return to fill in at goalkeeper, while seniors Todd Jones, Dennis Sztokfisz and Michael Sharabi add depth, experience and talent to a team which split its final six matches last season.

Junior Jonathon Delgado and sophomores Gerardo Toribio and Bora Akkaya, who recorded a hat trick against Bethany last year, should also make significant contributions.

Football

Following Friday's intrasquad scrimmage, Menlo coach Mark Kaanapu figures his team is ready to open the season.

"I'm happy with the overall content; the way the players came together as the scrimmage went on," Kaanapu said. "We're taking a monumental step forward together. The players are not only executing and doing what they need to do but they're supporting each other in the process. I feel very good about the closeness of this team and the way the family is coming together."

Kaanapu mentioned sophomore linebacker Chris Carrier and second-year tight end Keith Marin among the younger players and praised senior wide receiver Eddie Eyo, sophomore linebacker Travis Correa, and junior safety Keano Noa.

The Oaks travel to McMurry University in Abilene, Texas on Saturday to open the season.

Cross Country

The Menlo men's and women's teams will be in action on Friday at the Cal State East Bay Invitational in Hayward. Race time is 11 a.m.

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