Van Nuys Is on the Level in Sweeping Past Sylmar

VAN NUYS — The Van Nuys High girls’ volleyball team has nowhere to go but up.

Which is likely where they’ll go after a convincing 15-3, 15-9, 15-12 victory over Sylmar in a Valley Pac-8 Conference opener Thursday at Van Nuys.

The Wolves (3-1) won 3-A titles in 1992, 1993 and 1995. They have until Oct. 15 to declare themselves a 4-A team.

“I think that’s where we belong,” Van Nuys Coach Dave Bessler said. “Today tells me a lot.”

Bessler said the decision partly hinges on how Van Nuys plays Saturday in its own tournament against 4-A powers Westchester and Roosevelt.

Sharon Foster, a transfer from Village Christian, led the Van Nuys attack from the outside with 17 kills against Sylmar Melody Eckmier, one of two freshmen to start at Van Nuys, had seven kills.

Senior Jane Ahn, an All-City 3-A selection last year, had six kills.

Angela Eckmier, a 6-foot-1 junior middle blocker who is already drawing attention from colleges, had six kills.

Sylmar (3-1) showed why it will do just fine in the 3-A Division with a strong third game. The Spartans had six aces and jumped to a 10-5 lead.

“We came out in the third game the way we should have come out in the first game,” said Coach Bob Thomson, whose Spartans beat Van Nuys last season for the first time in a decade and went on to capture the Valley Pac-8 championship.

But Van Nuys was clearly the stronger team this time. How much stronger?

“We know that Van Nuys is probably the best team in the City Section, including 4-A,” said Thomson, whose team got eight kills and 15 digs from Patricia Mendoza.

“If I had that talent, I’d want a chance to win the 4-A and state titles.”

Said Foster: “If we came and took this team in three, I’d say we’re ready for 4-A.”