Steve Burkhart was surprised this week when the Moorpark College women's volleyball team opened up ranked No. 6 in the initial state coaches poll.

"For me that's a little high," said the Moorpark coach.

But it's difficult to argue about the Raiders' start.

Moorpark improved to 6-1 Tuesday with a straight game win at West Los Angeles.

"I like the start and we hope we can continue it," said Burkhart. "We've beaten some good teams."

Moorpark's only loss came to two-time defending state champion El Camino, the top-ranked team in the state.

"We've got a ways to catch them," said Burkhart, "so there's some work to do."

All-State outside hitter Savannah Thomas has moved on to UC Riverside, but Moorpark returns key sophomores in outside hitter Una Siljegovic and middle blocker Rachel Olinyk.

"We relied on (Thomas) a lot last year," said Burkhart of the 2008 Western State Conference Player of the Year. "I think we have a little more balance this year."

Moorpark has been boosted by setter Olivia White, a La Reina High product who transferred from the San Francisco Institute of Art, and outside hitter Shakila Balkhi, a Simi Valley High product who transferred from the University of Newfoundland.

"That's about as far as you can bounce back," said Burkhart. "She's been the biggest surprise for us so far. She's been terrific."

Newbury Park High products Chelcy Westphal and Erika Smith, whose twin sister Rachel is playing at Cal Lutheran, have moved right into the lineup as freshmen.

They will all be needed if Moorpark is to retain its WSC North title.

"The league is going to be much better this year," said Burkhart. "Ventura has taken a big step up. Even a team like Oxnard (is looking good).

"Santa Barbara has already beaten two teams from the Orange Empire (Conference) in Golden West and Fullerton."

Ventura (4-4) has a strong freshmen class, including outside hitters Shelbee Younce (Buena High) and Chelsea O'Mara (Oxnard High), as well 6-foot-2 middle blocker Kayla Phipps (Buena)

Oxnard (4-0) is off to its best start in recent memory behind sophomore outside hitter Dominique Franz and freshman setter Vanessa Valdez. Eight of the 10 players on the Condors roster are from Oxnard.

The Moorpark College women's volleyball team officially became the team to beat in the Western State Conference's North Division Tuesday.

The Raiders, ranked No. 8 in the state, traveled to San Luis Obispo and swept Cuesta, the two-time defending WSC North champion, in under an hour, 25-17, 25-10, 25-11.

I've played up there 18 years and I can't remember being so dominant," said Moorpark coach Steve Burkhart. "We were just ready to play.

"It was by far the best match that we've played this year. I'm just hoping it can be the catalyst to move on.

Outside hitters Savannah Thomas and Una Siljegovic had 16 kills and 11 kills, respectively, Roxy Ghassemi had seven digs and Kayla Ingraham added five blocks.
Middle blocker Rachel Olinyk leads the WSC with 36 blocks and is third in the WSC in hitting (.341).

"We've been passing pretty well, but we passed unbelievably," said Burkhart.
"When you go play there, you don't know what to expect. You travel for two and a half hours and everything seems to be against you.

"We went up 10-3 in the first game and we never looked back."

Moorpark hosts local rivals Oxnard and Ventura Friday and Tuesday, respectively.

Moorpark College women's volleyball team (11-4), which started WSC North play strong Tuesday night with a sweep of visiting Hancock, is ranked No. 7 in the state this week by the coaches association.

"I saw that," said coach Steve Burkhart. "I like to think we're worthy of that, although I'm not so sure all the time.

"We're still struggling at times to find consistency."

Two of the most consistent Raiders have been outside hitters Savannah Thomas and Una Siljegovic.

"In women's volleyball, you've got to have a hammer," said Burkhart. "You need to have someone who can put the ball on the floor consistently. When you have two of those players, it only makes you better."

Five years since its last Western State Conference title, the Moorpark College women's volleyball team may be ready to retake its throne.

Despite a loss Tuesday to top-ranked Los Angeles Pierce (16-1), the Raiders are 8-4 and ranked No. 8 in the state and No. 5 in Southern California.

"We're happy with our start," said Moorpark coach Steve Burkhart. "We have some solid players this year.

"This is probably our best group in the last three or four years."

The Raiders are led by outside hitters Una Siljegovic and Savannah Thomas and middle blockers Kayla Ingraham and Rachael Olinyk.

Siljegovic is the sister of former Moorpark All-American Nena Siljegovic. Both Siljegovic and Ingraham are Royal High products.

Moorpark has beaten four ranked teams, including No. 14 San Joaquin Delta, No. 17 Irvine Valley and No. 19 Long Beach and No. 20 Bakersfield. No other WSC North team is ranked.