Los Angeles Starlites
Encyclopedia
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-America
ns 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 1st in 1987. They also placed 1st in 1988.
Rules in the late 1980s were a bit different than 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. 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.
Major League Volleyball
Major League Volleyball was a women's professional volleyball league in the United States. It was established in 1987 and disbanded during its third season on March 20, 1989. The content, records, and player information were obtained from my collection of VCR recordings of the original ESPN...
(MLV) franchise. The league began in 1987 and ended short of completing a full season in 1989. Players consisted of former collegiate All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
ns and Olympians
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. 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
Pat Zartman
Pat Zartman is a volleyball coach, and was the United States women's national volleyball team coach from 1970-74. He was coach of the Los Angeles Starlites in 1987....
, the Starlites placed 1st in 1987. They also placed 1st in 1988.
Rules in the late 1980s were a bit different than current volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
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
- Rita Crockett-RoysterRita CrockettRita Louise Crockett is a former American competitive volleyball player and Olympic silver medalist. Crockett played NCAA women's volleyball with the Houston Cougars.-External links:...
– outside hitter (1987–1988) - Jeanie Beauprey-ReevesJeanne BeaupreyJeanne Marie Beauprey is a former American competitive volleyball player and Olympic silver medalist. Beauprey played NCAA women's volleyball while a student at UCLA.-External links:...
– 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-VargasDebbie Green-VargasDebbie Green-Vargas is a retired American volleyball player. Standing only 5'4" , she is regarded as the greatest American women's volleyball setter of all time. A former member of the U.S. National Team, Green-Vargas won the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.-Personal life:Debbie...
– setter (1987) - Diane Pestolasi (1988)
- Carol Czar – middle blocker (1987)
- Tracy Clark – outside hitter (1987)
- Michelle Boyette – setter (1988)
Debbie Green-Vargas is perhaps the most effective American female setter of all time. 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
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
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
Mike Dodd
Michael Dodd is a well-known retired professional beach volleyball player from the United States who attended San Diego State University. With his partner Mike Whitmarsh he won the silver medal in the men's inaugural beach volleyball tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics...
. 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.