Flying high for the ball in Cupertino's win over Westmont is senior returner Brynn Zinsman.

Photograph by Kathy DeLatorre

Cupertino a contender

Can you dig it?

BY DICK SPARRER

Brynn Zinsman can really dig it.

At least that's what Marty Redman says.

But Redman's not talking the language of the Beatnik generation of the 1950s--he's simply speaking volleyball-eze.

You see, Zinsman can really dig it for the Cupertino volleyball team. She can also serve it, spike it and kill it.

And because the returning senior does it all so well, Redman has high hopes for the Pioneers in the 1999 volleyball season.

Zinsman is a returning all-leaguer who holds the school record in digs with 367. She also had 262 kills and 55 service aces a year ago for a Cupertino team that posted a 25-6 record and finished second in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.

Of course, Zinsman doesn't do it all herself for the Pioneers. Seniors Sepideh Ghafari and Amy Liao and junior Margaret Donoghue are other top returners for the Pioneers, who are looking for big things in 1999.

"Last year was the best ever at 'Tino," said Redman, who shares the coaching duties at Cupertino with his daughter, Laura Redman, and Bob Huff. "I think this year's team has a chance to be better."

Zinsman is battling back from an ankle injury, but when she's healthy, Redman considers the outside hitter to be "one of the best defensive players in the CCS."

Donoghue, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker, is another top talent for the Pioneers.

"She's very improved and will be tough to handle at the net," said Redman of Donoghue, who won all-league honorable mention consideration last season when she had 176 kills and 94 blocks.

Ghafari is a returning outside hitter who served 94 percent and had 118 digs last year, and Liao is a returning setter who had 226 assists a year ago.

Seniors Pomai Neil and Analisa Ammon and junior Meghan Zuck are other varsity returners for the Pioneers.

Juniors Christine Adrian and Mimi Zhang, senior Brandi Marx, and sophomore Deborah Terzian are top prospects up from the junior varsity team that won a second-straight league championship last season. Adrian was the most valuable player on that squad and won first-team all-league honors.

Freshman Amy Endo is another top prospect for 'Tino.

"We're real optimistic about this group," said Redman.

Zuck fired 14 straight service points, five of them aces, to lead the Pioneers to an easy win 15-12, 15-4, 15-2 over Yerba Buena last week. Zinsman led the Pioneers with 10 kills.

Cupertino also handled Westmont 15-8, 15-4, 15-3. Zinsman was 23 for 23 serving for 19 points and Liao had 24 assists. Donoghue and Ghafari combined for 13 kills.

Donoghue has seven blocks and Zinsman was 10 for 10 serving with five aces to lead 'Tino to a 15-1, 15-7, 15-9 win over Carlmont.

"The Carlmont coach said that hitting over Margaret was like hitting over a building," said Redman after the win.

Donoghue came back with 10 kills and Ghafari had 11 digs in a 15-11, 15-7, 15-10 win over Silver Creek. Liao had 18 points on 21 serves.

Zinsman bashed 13 kills, Liao had 25 assists and Ghafari served 13 points to lead the Pioneers past Pinewood 10-15, 15-6, 15-9, 15-10. Adrian was 12 for 12 serving for nine points.

"Brynn had been outstanding," said Redman. "Amy's done a great job serving and Sepideh has been real solid all around."

The Pioneers will open El Camino Division play this week, visiting Homestead on Sept. 21 and hosting Milpitas on Sept. 23 in a pair of 7 p.m. matches.

The Mustangs opened the year with four wins in six matches, knocking off Branham 15-2, 15-8, 15-4 to improve to 4-2.

In other local action, Lynbrook won its own Lynbrook Invitational, beating Monta Vista 15-6, 4-15, 15-10 in the championship match.

The Vikings, 11-1 this season, beat Santa Clara 15-6, 13-15, 15-8 in the semifinals and San Jose Academy 12-15, 15-1, 15-3 in the quarters.

Lynbrook handled Greenfield 15-1, 15-1, Fremont 15-0, 15-10 and Andrew Hill 15-5, 15-6 in the preliminaries.

Monta Vista went three games to defeat Palo Alto 15-6, 13-15, 15-8 in the semifinals and Pinewood 15-12, 15-0 in the quarters. The Matadors had whipped Santa Clara 15-3, 15-2, Gilroy 15-7, 15-8 and Mountain View 15-3, 15-2 in the prelims.

Lynbrook ran its season record to 12-1 with a 15-1, 16-14, 15-6 win over Mountain View in regular season play last week.

Sheriff's Report

Resident had a long journey to America

Local athletes perform well at Firebird Invitational

Local volleyball returners promise strong season