The Los Angeles Starlites were one of six teams in the Major League Volleyball (MLV) franchise. The league began in 1987 and ended short of completing a full season in 1989. Players consisted of former collegiate All-Americans and Olympians. The level of play was highly competitive (above that of even the best Division I college teams) and fast paced, and utilized either a 5-1 or 6-2 offense.
Coached by Pat Zartman, the Starlites placed first in 1987. They also placed first in 1988. Despite their performance, the team's attendance averaged only 800 fans per game, among the lowest in the league in 1987.[1] In 1988, they drew only 3,000 total fans in their 11 home games.[2] The team played its home games at several different venues during the 1987 and 1988 seasons, which may have contributed to its low attendance numbers.[2] The Starlites played their home games at UC Irvine's Bren Center during the 1989 season.[2]
Rules in the late 1980s were a bit different from current volleyball rules. The ball could not touch the net on a serve, and games were to 15 points, with no rally scoring. In 1988 the franchise changed the rules so that game five would move to rally scoring.
Debbie Green-Vargas is perhaps the most effective American female setter of all time.[6] Green-Vargas is only 5'4" tall. During an MLV match, Green-Vargas's chronic back problem almost put her out of the game. She stuck it out, although obviously in a great deal of pain, to lead the team to victory.
Rita Crockett was awarded a Major League MVP award. Even while Crockett was pregnant, with daughter Marrita, it was not uncommon to see her breaking boards at the 10' line. Rita Crockett is reported to have a 42" vertical jump.
Patty Arosco married volleyball player Mike Dodd. Dodd himself later won the silver medal in beach volleyball at the 1996 Olympics.
Hall and Crockett played while they were pregnant. Rita was told not to dive so she played defense cautiously.
Referencesedit
^Rosenberg, Scott (May 30, 1987). "Psst, Los Angeles Has Already Won Title". The Los Angeles Times. p. III-12. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ abcLowery, Steve (February 17, 1989). "Wrinkle in Twinkle: Beleaguered but Still Champions, Starlites Find a New Home in Bren Center". The Los Angeles Times. p. III-10. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. The Starlites never secured a home arena. They played at Golden West College, Loyola Marymount and Cal State Long Beach, sometimes without a whispering of a warning. 'There were times when if you didn't know someone directly involved with the team there was no way you could have known where we were playing,' [coach Al] Gasparian said.
^Monahan, Chris (June 13, 1990). "A star player by any other name". The Orange County Register. p. 17.
^Orange County Register. March 25, 1988. p. 109 https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-mar-25-1988-p-109/. Retrieved October 24, 2022. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^Wagner, Dick. "Here Are Two Olympic Stars Who Never Stopped Shining." Los Angeles Times 14 June 1987: C3.
December 18, 2023
angeles, starlites, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, april, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Los Angeles Starlites news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2007 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Los Angeles Starlites were one of six teams in the Major League Volleyball MLV franchise The league began in 1987 and ended short of completing a full season in 1989 Players consisted of former collegiate All Americans and Olympians The level of play was highly competitive above that of even the best Division I college teams and fast paced and utilized either a 5 1 or 6 2 offense Coached by Pat Zartman the Starlites placed first in 1987 They also placed first in 1988 Despite their performance the team s attendance averaged only 800 fans per game among the lowest in the league in 1987 1 In 1988 they drew only 3 000 total fans in their 11 home games 2 The team played its home games at several different venues during the 1987 and 1988 seasons which may have contributed to its low attendance numbers 2 The Starlites played their home games at UC Irvine s Bren Center during the 1989 season 2 Rules in the late 1980s were a bit different from current volleyball rules The ball could not touch the net on a serve and games were to 15 points with no rally scoring In 1988 the franchise changed the rules so that game five would move to rally scoring Starlites roster editRita Crockett Royster outside hitter 1987 1988 Jeanie Beauprey Reeves outside hitter 1997 1988 Patty Dodd outside hitter 1987 Wendy Stammer middle blocker 1988 Dale Keough Hall outside hitter 1988 Lisa Ettesvold 1988 Debbie Green Vargas setter 1987 Diane Pestolasi 1988 Carol Czar middle blocker 1987 Tracy Clark outside hitter 1987 Michelle Boyette setter 1988 Kris Roberts 1988 3 Lori Zeno 1988 4 5 Debbie Green Vargas is perhaps the most effective American female setter of all time 6 Green Vargas is only 5 4 tall During an MLV match Green Vargas s chronic back problem almost put her out of the game She stuck it out although obviously in a great deal of pain to lead the team to victory Rita Crockett was awarded a Major League MVP award Even while Crockett was pregnant with daughter Marrita it was not uncommon to see her breaking boards at the 10 line Rita Crockett is reported to have a 42 vertical jump Patty Arosco married volleyball player Mike Dodd Dodd himself later won the silver medal in beach volleyball at the 1996 Olympics Hall and Crockett played while they were pregnant Rita was told not to dive so she played defense cautiously References edit Rosenberg Scott May 30 1987 Psst Los Angeles Has Already Won Title The Los Angeles Times p III 12 Retrieved July 22 2021 via Newspapers com a b c Lowery Steve February 17 1989 Wrinkle in Twinkle Beleaguered but Still Champions Starlites Find a New Home in Bren Center The Los Angeles Times p III 10 Retrieved July 22 2021 via Newspapers com The Starlites never secured a home arena They played at Golden West College Loyola Marymount and Cal State Long Beach sometimes without a whispering of a warning There were times when if you didn t know someone directly involved with the team there was no way you could have known where we were playing coach Al Gasparian said Archives Los Angeles Times Monahan Chris June 13 1990 A star player by any other name The Orange County Register p 17 Orange County Register March 25 1988 p 109 https newspaperarchive com santa ana orange county register mar 25 1988 p 109 Retrieved October 24 2022 a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a Missing or empty title help Wagner Dick Here Are Two Olympic Stars Who Never Stopped Shining Los Angeles Times 14 June 1987 C3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Los Angeles Starlites amp oldid 1159335670, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
