LEADING THE LANCERS—Thousand Oaks High junior Hannah Porter makes a pass at practice. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers Youth will be served.

And the youth will do plenty of serving—as well as spiking, digging and passing.

The pursuit for first place in the Marmonte League will be fierce among the eight girls’ volleyball teams. With few returning senior leaders, younger players will have key roles in 2010.

Although most coaches peg Thousand Oaks High to reign supreme, defending Marmonte champion Royal as well as Newbury Park, Westlake and Simi Valley are expected to fight for first.

Moorpark is itching to join the postseason fray after missing the big dance for the first time in years. A resurgent Agoura hopes a strong summer will translate into success this fall.

Calabasas wants to field a competitive lineup.

“You can’t take anybody in our league lightly,” Thousand Oaks head coach James Park said.

Everyone is excited for the matches to begin.

“I am ready to go,” Newbury Park head coach Chip Tarleton said. “I’m getting goose bumps just talking about it.”

Here is a closer look at the Marmonte teams:

Thousand Oaks Lancers

The Lancers had one senior in 2009. They have no seniors in 2010.

They still return a loaded, experienced squad.

“We have a pretty solid team,” Park said. “One of the questions that needs answering is how well do we handle the pressure of being a favorite and being so young.”

Karis Schneider is a 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter. One of the strongest players in the Marmonte, Schneider hits well on the back row and at the net.

Junior middle blocker Jillian Johnson uses her agile 6-foot-2 body to block and hit.

Rachel Cookus, a junior libero, is a defensive ace with a nose for the ball. Cookus’ passing, defense and intangibles will be crucial for a Lancer squad that has plenty of offense.

Sophomore outside hitter Kendall Frisoli, who plays bigger than her 5-foot-5 frame, can jump out of the gym, the coach said.

Danae Theiler, a Newbury Park transfer, is a 6-foot sophomore opposite who will give TOHS depth along the front row.

During Park’s tenure at Thousand Oaks, the Lancers won four straight league titles before finishing third last season.

Royal Highlanders

The reigning league champs graduated six of seven starters from last year’s juggernaut.

Nobody’s discounting the dangerous and confident Highlanders.

“They’re excited and have positive attitudes,” Royal head coach Heidi Buonauro said. “Honestly, they all worked hard in the offseason.”

Amanda Soper is the lone returning starter for Royal. Soper, a senior outside hitter and captain, is a three-year varsity veteran.

Becca Kremer, another captain, is setting with confidence and accuracy. Kalle Mulford, a 6-foot-3 junior middle blocker, moves surprisingly well for her height, the coach said.

Rebecca Jones is another varsity returner and multisport standout. The senior opposite also plays water polo and track.

“Like every high school volleyball team,” the coach said, “consistency will be our goal.”

Agoura Chargers

After years of struggling on the hardwood, the Chargers are on the verge of turning a corner.

Agoura is a dark horse to reach the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade, thanks in no small part to formidable blockers.

“We’re very physical at the net and we block extremely well,” head coach Brock Redmond said.

“Our passing and our setting is catching up. Our strong suit is our play at the net.”

Jackie Madler, a junior middle blocker, will team up with 6-foot outside hitter Elizabeth Kemmerly, a junior from Ohio.

Senior middle blocker Nicole LaFountaine and junior opposite Hailey Wahl are returning standouts. Freshman Katie Sato is expected to make an impact. The versatile Sato is a libero who can play any position.

“Our goal is the playoffs,” the third-year coach said. “It doesn’t matter what spot. Once we get in the playoffs, anything can happen.”

Newbury Park Panthers

With an experienced, cohesive team, the Panthers nabbed second in the Marmonte last season.

Newbury Park will now try to replicate or surpass the accomplishments of Tarleton’s first team.

In his second season at the school, Tarleton will count on four seniors and a bevy of juniors and sophomores to lead the way.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” the coach said. “We’re going to try things with smoke and mirrors.

“We’ll see if we can sneak up on some people and surprise some teams. They’re very young, enthusiastic and very coachable. They want to improve.”

The Panthers employ a quick offense and an opportunistic, aggressive defense. When they go up for a block, Tarleton wants to see Newbury Park pick up points from those big defensive plays.

The coach emphasizes consistency with fundamentals.

Newbury Park expects big things from 6-foot-2 junior middle blocker Amber Wiswell.

Junior setter Morgan Collet enters her third year on varsity, while senior outside hitter Abby Alami and sophomore defensive specialist Michaella Geer play key roles.

The Panthers open their season at this weekend’s Queen’s Court Tournament in Anaheim.

“We still have the same goals—we don’t shy away from that,” Tarleton said. “They may sound lofty, but if you don’t set the bar high you won’t be able to test yourself.

“We want to win league, win the Southern Section and win state. Saying that, we need to put in the work.”

Westlake Warriors

Foes shouldn’t expect to outfox the Warriors, who tied Simi Valley for fourth place in league last season.

With five student-athletes who played setter at one point in their careers, Westlake has the cerebral fortitude to produce disciplined volleyball.

“I can foresee this team being a bit more of a ball-control team,” head coach Ernest Rittenhouse said. “We’re a smart team. Setters are known for being smart players.”

Hannah Schuett, a senior, is a returning starter at setter.

Junior Paige Harris, another returning starter, is a libero and defensive standout.

Rittenhouse got a good sense of the Warriors’ progression after watching them play 20 matches this summer. Without a go-to outside hitter, WHS will spread the ball to multiple hitters on offense.

“We would be disappointed if we didn’t make the playoffs,” the coach said. “We always expect to be in the hunt for a league title.”

Simi Valley Pioneers

In his first year as head coach, Jason Sherman led the Pioneers to a 2009 postseason bid.

He hopes Simi Valley can continue improving while building a winning tradition.

The coach wants to see the team do two things well.

“Work hard in practice every day and work hard in the classroom. Hopefully that will translate into some wins,” Sherman said. “Every day, the girls are working hard to get the most out of their abilities.”

The Pioneers players are an athletic bunch that learn from their mistakes and pick up concepts quickly, the coach said.

Sherman wants the players to develop on-court chemistry.

Junior outside hitters Audrey Hession and Torrey Campbell lead the Pioneers.

Taylor Susim, one of five seniors, has the versatility to play middle blocker and opposite.

Calabasas Coyotes

The Coyotes feature a solid foundation of returning players.

“I’m hoping that we’ll have a good core foundation for developing a stronger program,” head coach Marla O’Hara said.

“We’re a program that’s always been near the bottom of the league. My goal is just to make our program stronger.”

Marissa Rossi and Lauren Goff are talented juniors who can make an impact at outside hitter.

Wendy Cyfkka, a senior opposite, is another solid returning player. Rossi’s sister Alanna is a junior setter who has operated the position for two seasons.

O’Hara, who is in her 10th season guiding Calabasas, thinks Calabasas is strong in the hitting department. Alanna Rossi offers a steady presence at setter.

Moorpark Musketeers

The Musketeers missed the playoffs for the first time last season under the guidance of eightyear head coach Brendan Hanson.

The coach hopes it was an aberration.

“The playoffs are always my goal, this year more than ever,” Hanson said. “I want to get back.”

Kayla Sears will have something to say about it.

The sophomore outside hitter is one of the Marmonte’s best players. Sears led Moorpark in kills and can accumulate points in a myriad of ways.

“She’s starting to come into her own,” Hanson said of Sears.

Ashlea Smith, who played middle blocker a year ago, could see time at four positions. Smith’s work ethic, competitiveness and positive vibes aid Moorpark.

Izzy Sagely and Mariah Bell are promising youngsters.

Sagely, a sophomore, competed at libero last year but is playing with fire at outside hitter this season. She doesn’t back off from taller blockers, is solid defensively along the back row and can make momentum changing plays to energize teammates and fans, Hanson said.

Bell is a freshman who played with a USA regional development team during the summer. She will likely spend most of her time at outside hitter.