PALO ALTO ?” In many ways Atlee Hubbard never left her posh Menlo Park suburb. So when the Hornets’ 6-foot junior outside hitter arrived for practice at Stanford’s Maples Pavilion on Wednesday night in preparation for Thursday’s first round of the NCAA Tournament, the experience was nothing new.

“When I walked in it brought up a lot of memories,” said Hubbard, who grew a short five-mile drive down Highway 101 from one of the most successful collegiate volleyball programs in NCAA history.

Those memories include watching the likes of Stanford All-Americans Logan Tom and Kristin Folkl and peppering with setter Lisa Sharpley as a star-struck 11-year-old at the Stanford volleyball camp.

“I’m glad I got to see that kind of volleyball growing up ?” it made me want to be a great player,” Hubbard said. “Every once in a while I’ll have an image in my head of Logan Tom (a United States Olympian) taking an approach and want to possess that talent.”

On the same floor she saw her childhood heroes fly on Thursday night, Hubbard soared early against No. 15 Santa Clara despite the Hornets’ 3-1 loss. Hubbard notched seven kills before committing an error. She hit .556 while digging out five potential Bronco points in the first game ?” which the Hornets won. She went on to notch 13 kills and 14 digs while hitting .256.

“I was really excited, there was some adrenaline flowing,” Hubbard said. “But it was mainly momentum that we had in that first game.”

If there was anyone on the Hornets’ roster equipped to come out firing against the Broncos at Maples Pavilion, it’s Hubbard by sheer proximity and familiarity.

“Stepping on the court with these teams, I know what they can do and what they’re capable of,” Hubbard said on the eve of the tournament. “It’s fun playing against great teams.

“Even knowing what we’re up against I’d rather play here than be shipped out.”

Following high school Hubbard signed with Rhode Island where she started 22 matches as a freshman and led the team in aces. But, as she told The State Hornet last fall, she yearned for the competition of the West Coast and to be near home again. Hubbard transferred to Sac State prior to last season and instantly stepped into a starting role.

After leading the Hornets in service aces and errors in 2004, she settled down for a stellar 2005 in which she garnered first-team all Big Sky honors and a Big Sky all-tournament team selection.

Hubbard prepped at Atherton’s Menlo-Atherton High where she led the Bears to multiple Central Coast Section playoff appearances and was the most valuable player of the Burlingame preseason tournament for three years in a row. For seven winters she played for City Beach Volleyball Club in Santa Clara ?” then an up-and-coming outfit and fertile recruiting ground for the Santa Clara program.

“It was a privilege playing (club and high school) in the Bay Area,” Hubbard said. “It’s one of the top area in the country to learn the game.

“It really enabled me to strive to play at a high level.”