Whittier Christian High School’s girls volleyball team holds a team practice on Oct. 2.

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By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writer

411 whittier.com

WHITTIER – Whittier Christian High School, armed with a roster featuring several talented seniors, is aiming to maintain its girls volleyball supremacy in 2013.

The Heralds were second to none in the CIF-Southern Section 2A Division last year, capturing the Olympic League crown with an 8-0 record before finishing with a 35-5 mark and the 2A title.

Led by their talented senior cast, the Heralds have picked up right where they left off. With their Oct. 1 league-opening victory over Heritage Christian, the Heralds improved their record to 15-5.

The senior duo of outside hitters Kylee Wolfe and Deanna Blaine pace the Heralds’ attack. Blaine turned in a terrific junior season, capturing both CIF-SS Division 2A Player of the Year and league most valuable player honors. She has committed to Loyola Marymount.

Wolfe, who committed to the University of Rhode Island, is coming off a season in which she earned both first team All-CIF and first team all-league awards.

Joining the 1-2 punch of Blaine and Wolfe are the senior group of setter Jennifer Washle, libero Nicole Santos, middle blocker Stephanie Stevenson, outside hitter Kylie Cooke and middle blocker Meghan Buchanan.

“Our goals for the season are similar to last year – but we also realize we have a lot of work ahead of us,” Whittier Christian coach Shawn Hunter said. “We played some good competition and we have competed consistently well. I’m excited with where we are at.

“We’re excited to get under way, and we’re excited to compete against our league. We think our league is going to be a good test and we’re excited about that.”

The Heralds resume league play Oct. 3 with a home match against Village Christian.

ST. PAUL

The Swordsmen are also seeking to build upon last season’s success, which included a Camino Real League championship and a second-round appearance in the 2012 CIF-SS Division 4AA playoffs.

“We’re a little older and a little wiser,” Swordsmen head coach John Van Deventer said.

Junior outside hitter Riley Kelly, who captured league most valuable player honors last season, paces the St. Paul attack.

Senior outside hitter Ariel Bonderov, junior setter Jillian Saenz, sophomore libero Katie Engle and junior middle blocker Marissa Aquilar also play essential roles for the Swordsmen. Bonderov, Saenz and Engle each earned first team all-league honors last season while Aquilar was named second team all-league.

Senior setter Amanda Encinas, a transfer from Santa Fe who becomes eligible in October, will also look to make an impact.

St. Paul has looked strong so far, posting a 13-4 overall record. The Swordsmen, who are ranked No. 4 in the CIF-SS Division 4AA poll, open league play Oct. 3 against St. Monica at home.

eric.terrazas@411whittier.com, @411whittierspts