"We have targeted the top four as our goal," declared Monsees, whose team won three of four games in the Thousand Oaks Tournament in Southern California, before dropping three of four in the prestigious Scott Roche Memorial Tournament in Atherton. "Right now, we're close to a top 10 team. With five strong players returning, we have a great nucleus."

The Chargers, who play two games this week as the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division season begins, are looking forward to Sept. 28. That's their first of two games against Mt. Pleasant, a team that went unbeaten while winning the division in 2004. The contest is set for Lincoln at 5 p.m.

"I figure they will be our only real challenge in league play," Monsess said. "They have two excellent athletes in Ryan and John Floersch, and now a third brother is the goal."

Ryan Floersch was the league's Most Valuable Player last season.

The Chargers' line-up will feature seniors Shane Keno, Jon Foote, Justin Booth and Brian Luu, juniors Raymond LaRochelle and Max Dobrushin and sophomore goaltender Eric Hsu. Providing depth will be junior Scott Stuart and sophomore Marcus Gartner.

LaRochelle was named Sophomore of the Year last season. Foote and Keno were first team all-leaguers, while Booth earned second team honors. Gartner, a contributor as a ninth-grader, received Freshman of the Year honors.

"Foote is a great shooter and provides us with left-handed power," Monsees said, "and we have three good defensive players in Booth, Keno and Luu."

The Chargers also have LaRochelle, an undersized "hole" player a year ago who "has grown tremendously in ability and size," Monsees said. "He is the hardest working player I've had in a long time.

"That will be the biggest difference in our team--having a strong hole player."

Hsu, who replaces graduated Dustin Prosser as goaltender, made 12 saves is a recent tournament victory over Aragon of San Mateo. "He has done a tremendous job for us," Monsees said of the new goalie.

Dobrushin, who along with Hsu, led Leland's frosh-soph to an unbeaten 8-0 record last year, should provide right-handed shooting power, the coach said. Gartner and junior Scott Stuart will be the first substitutes into the game.

Other team members include seniors Jacob Lubianker, Ben Gill, Jeff Ha, Matt Brown and Joseph Consiglio, juniors Daniel Guarino, Lucas Payne, Chris Swan and Brendon Luu.

Lincoln and Santa Teresa are new to the division, replacing Independence and Piedmont Hills and joining Leland, Mount Pleasant and Pioneer. In addition to eight division games and the BVAL tournament, Leland is entered in tournaments at St. Francis, Live Oak and Sacred Heart.

Pioneer captured third place last weekend at the Wilcox Great 8 tourney. Senior Kevin Zondervan, the division's Junior of the Year last season, scored eight goals for Pioneer in a 15-9 triumph over Santa Clara during pool play. Junior Richard Guitierrez added four goals and David Atala had three.

Later, Guitierrez scored three and Zondervan two in a 6-5 win over Lynbrook. In the third-place game, a 12-5 win over host Wilcox, Zondervan scored six and Atala four.

Leland opens title defense

Playing without their fastest swimmer, junior Courtney Monsees, Leland's girls water polo team didn't miss a beat as it tuned up for the BVAL season with an impressive showing at a tournament in Clovis.

Christy Stibbe, the Mount Hamilton Division's Most Valuable player last season as a sophomore, scored 13 goals as the Chargers won three of four games. Junior Elena Santa Maria and senior Rebecca Pele both scored five goals.

Monsees, who is recovering from surgery to repair a bone in her left hand, was scheduled to meet with her doctor this week. Although she has been working out with the team, she currently is wearing a cast and hoping to have it removed soon.

Stibbe, Santa Maria and Monsees all were first team all-BVAL selections a year ago, and Pele and Heather Sheridan were second team choices. Other returning players from last season's 23-10 team that reached the first round of the CCS tournament are junior goalie Allison Mossing, junior Brittany Hall and senior Tina Revels. Two freshmen, Amy Georgiou and Courtney Gold, also earned spots on coach Eric Rise's team.

Pioneer and Willow Glen, both promoted from the Santa Teresa Division to the Mount Hamilton, will join Independence and Lincoln in trying to upend the defending champs.

Pioneer, which was unbeaten while winning the varsity (8-0) and junior varsity (6-0) titles, has several key players eligible to return.

Senior Katie Lopiccolo was the co-MVP last year with former teammate Kelly Perryman. Another senior, Rebecca Wallworth, earned first team all-league honors. Sophomore Elyssa Samson, junior Erin Nash and senior Rebecca Pies all received second team laurels.

Leland and Pioneer both had openers on Sept. 20 before squaring off for the first of two league meetings on Sept. 22 at Willow Glen.

The Chargers are entered in several high-profile tournaments, leading up to the CCS tournament that begins on Nov. 8. Those events will be hosted by Menlo School, Valley Christian, Sacred Heart, Palo Alto and Lincoln.