2003 Blazers playing above the net

Adam Candee

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 | 9:34 a.m.

To say last year's Durango girls' volleyball team dominated might be a slight understatement.

Armed with one of the most well-rounded lineups in recent memory, the Blazers played at a different level than the rest of Nevada, rolling to the 2002 state title and earning immense respect.

Want to know the truly scary part? Durango coach Bob Kelly, the de facto dean of southern Nevada prep volleyball coaches, feels that this year's team could be every bit as good as last year's trend setters.

"If I match up this year's team with last year's team, it's pretty close," Kelly said.

The rest of the Valley will likely again chase the Blazers for volleyball supremacy this season, with Bishop Gorman, Green Valley, and Coronado at the front of the pack of contenders.

Durango features two of the city's best players in senior setter Amy Schlauder and senior outside hitter Kelsey Johnson. The duo played a large part in the Blazers' title run a year ago, and they are the focal points of this Durango squad.

Schlauder, who is bound for Brigham Young, is one of the top 30 prospects in the nation. At 6-foot-1, Schlauder possesses the size to set her apart at her position. What has impressed Kelly -- who coached U.S. Olympic team setter Charlene Johnson -- is the marked improvement in setting skills shown by Schlauder over the spring and summer months.

"As far as understanding the position, she continues to make great strides," Kelly said.

Kelly sees Gorman as the Blazers' main competition in the Sunset Region. The Gaels will rely on a heavily experienced lineup featuring junior middle blocker Apryl Roberts and senior outside hitter Meghann Ditsworth.

The Northwest Division appears to lag slightly behind the Southwest, but Centennial senior southpaw outside hitter Courtney Ballif and Palo Verde junior outside hitter Trina Kauliakamoa provide some excitement in the division.

In the Sunrise Region, Green Valley and Coronado appear poised to battle at the top. While the Gators boast one of the city's most traditionally strong programs, a young and very tall Cougars team owns the pieces to challenge them.

Led by longtime coach Erin Hill, Green Valley will put out an inexperienced lineup of mainly younger players. The Gators must replace a number of key components from last year's state qualifier, having lost Washington State-bound middle blocker Jenn Todd and standout setter Kelsi Thoman to graduation.

Jay Renneker's Coronado team has the look of a dangerous upstart, boasting seven players standing over 6 feet tall. Senior middle blocker Jenna Newman saw the most action for last season's region qualifier, and senior setter Sheena Habibian will also set the tone for the Cougars.

It looks to be a down year in the Northeast Division, where only Las Vegas is expected to be very competitive. The Wildcats will turn to senior outside hitter Tracy Gearin to lead a squad that will likely be the class of the division.