VISTA – In 2001, Tri-City Christian broke through. The Eagles won a five-game marathon to vanquish North County rival Santa Fe Christian and give Tri-City its first San Diego Section girls volleyball championship.

Robert Benson photo Jessica Chappell (4) and Natalie Mondle (right) have helped Tri-City Christian make a run at another section title.

Then the Eagles waited for the next banner. And waited.

Not that Tri-City wasn't competitive. Just the opposite.

From 2002 to 2005, there wasn't a Santa Fe Christian celebration that didn't feature a dejected Tri-City squad in the background. Tri-City perfected the bridesmaid role for four seasons behind Santa Fe Christian, but that changed in 2006 when the defending Division V champs moved to Division IV, and Tri-City suddenly ruled the roost.

Tri-City has not only become a small-school powerhouse in volleyball but also the standard-bearer for the school's athletic program.

Despite losing a pack of talented seniors from last year's team, the Eagles have reloaded and began the week poised to make a run at their third straight section title and first state championship.

“We knew it would be different,” senior Brittany Thompson said. “I think it's a confidence builder being held to such a high standard.”

That standard rose last season when Tri-City breezed through section play and earned a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs before falling to Bakersfield Christian in five games in the Southern California Regional semifinal.

“We know what it feels like to be that close and have it all go away,” Thompson said.

Although All-Section setter Aimee Bird and All-League middle blocker Alysia Baker graduated, Eagles coach Kristen Wright said this year's team has something that last year's didn't: flexibility.

“We have more of a spread-all-around offense this year,” Wright said. “We're the deepest we've ever been in my three years.”

That is the reality of Tri-City volleyball. As stars depart, others step up. “Rebuilding” isn't in the Tri-City lexicon.

“We do think about (expectations) when times are tough,” junior Mira Ramirez said. “We set the standard.”

The 2008 team is a case in point. Not only do the Eagles return 10 players from last year's roster – now armed with more postseason experience than any Tri-City team before them – but 10 of Wright's 12 players compete year-round on club teams.

The Eagles' depth is battle-tested, from the seniors to the freshman class. From Tri-City's enrollment of 300, more than 30 girls tried out for this year's volleyball team.

“That's 10 percent of our school, and that's amazing,” Wright said. “When you have three teams (varsity, JV, novice), all the girls are getting a lot of playing time.”

The program's success means the Eagles can make the most of their tiny student population.

“We have more girls try out for volleyball than any other girls sport,” Thompson said.

This Eagles team is younger than last year's, but Wright said this group might be better equipped to handle playoff pressure. They claim to be taking things one game at a time, but that doesn't mean they haven't thought about hoisting a trophy at this year's State Championships.

“That would be the first for our school,” Ramirez said. “It would be amazing.”

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