OC Varsity » Boys Volleyball

Boys volleyball: 4 county players make U-19 National Team

Chris Tobolski, OCVarsity.com — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:16:13 +0000

Spencer Rowe

There are 12 players on the U-19 National Team representing the United States at FIVB Boys' Youth World Championship beginning tomorrow through Sept. 6 in Jesolo and Bassano del Grappa, Italy, and four hail from county schools.

The players are:

Spencer Rowe (Mission Viejo)

Dylan Davis (Corona del Mar)

Connor Olbright (El Modena)

Maurice Torres (Orange Lutheran)

Davis, Olbright and Torres were on the team that captured the 2008 NORCECA Championship in Miami, qualifying for the this year's world championships.

"We have a nucleus of five players returning for the last summer’s team,” said Coach Andy Read on the USAvolleyball.org website's press release. “We are going to rely on their experience and add that to the athletic and volleyball ability of the seven new players who have played their way onto the team.”

That's impressive stuff. One third of the team is from Orange County.

Davis (UCSB) and Torres (Pepperdine) graduated. Olbright and Rowe are seniors this year.

Boys volleyball: 2010 preview and storylines

Chris Tobolski, OCVarsity.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Hudson Glover (13) will play a key role for San Clemente in 2010. Paul Bersebach, The Register

The unknown. That's what 2009 produced.

Mater Dei in the Division I final. The county's top 2 teams out by the quarterfinals. Santa Margarita winning the Trinity League title.

No one saw these coming when the season began this year.

So what's in store for 2010? We're here to take a peak at it.

Possible top 10 for 2010

1. Esperanza - Aztecs biggest losses are senior middle blocker and senior libero. Team's depth should be deep enough to overcome losses. Aztecs reached quarterfinals of CIF-SS Division I playoffs, and return arguably the county's best setter.

2. Santa Margarita - Eagles lose their top gunner from this season in Tanner Jansen. Yet the Eagles were one of the youngest teams in the county this year and won the Trinity League title.

3. Newport Harbor - Sailors watch some senior talent leave, but return one of the county's top hitters in Cody Caldwell. Sailors defensive abilities usually have them atop the county no matter what the lineup looks like.

4. Orange Lutheran - Lancers graduate their all-world player in Maurice Torres. However, Lutheran has enough junior talent returning to be among the best teams in the county next season.

5. Laguna Beach - Breakers are loaded with underclassmen, including senior to be Travis Woloson and junior to be Robbie McKnight.

6. Edison - Chargers could be a surprise team in 2010. Like every other team, they lose contributing seniors but have talented juniors.

7. Mater Dei - No team loses the talent of the senior-laden Monarchs, who have 8 key seniors leaving. The cupboards aren't dry, however, and Monarchs will find way to play top 10 caliber volleyball with new lineup.

8. San Clemente - Tritons lose their big trio that was together since their sophomore season. Tritons are used to losing talent and finding more in the program. They will be among the top teams in the county next year still.

9. Mission Viejo - Diablos were the team most affected by injuries this season. They return senior to be Spencer Rowe, who may be the early candidate for player of the year honors. Watch out for this group who went unnoticed in 2009.

10. Huntington Beach - Oilers are losing their setter and libero, both of who played in the county all star game. Oilers are on of the those teams who lose talent and still remain competitive and a top 10 team the next year. The trend figures to continue.

Top 5 Storylines of 2010

5. Rolling out the new stars

This year was loaded with graduating senior talent, including Connor Hughes, Maurice Torres, Tanner Jansen and Dane Worley. Whose the next line of big hitters to emerge? It's one thing we'll be watching for come 2010. Mission Viejo's Spencer Rowe, Newport Harbor's Cody Caldwell, Corona del Mar's Weston Nielson and Laguna Beach's Travis Woloson are among the early replacements.

4. Will Santa Margarita play Orange County Championships next year?

At the time of the tournament this year, the Eagles were the only top 10 county team not to participate in the tournament. It worked out well in the end, as they won the Trinity League title. It'll be interesting to see what decision they make this year.

3. Will San Clemente finally be knocked from its throne?

Tritons have won 8 consecutive South Coast League title, including an undefeated run this year. However, it's core group is leaving. Does it open the door for teams like Dana Hills and Mission Viejo, and even Aliso Niguel, to derail the champs in 2010?

2. What will happen to Mater Dei?

The Monarchs reached their third CIF final in school history this year, and won the the Southern Regional Championships. However, they lose just about everyone from that squad. Can the Monarchs rebuild quickly enough to put it together again next season, or is it going to take longer than that?

1. All hail Esperanza

The Aztecs coaches and players may or may not like this distinction, but who will be better than them next year? Aztecs are loaded with junior talent, and had arguably the best season of any team save Mater Dei. Esperanza won the Division I title in 2007, and could be chasing another one this year.

More from the boys volleyball blog:

All-league boys volleyball: Trinity league

ocvarsity — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:46:45 +0000

TRINITY LEAGUE

Most Valuable Player: Tanner Jansen (Santa Margarita, Sr.)

First Team: Michael McMahon (Santa Margarita, Jr.); Taylor Hammond (Santa Margarita, So.); Ryan Baine (Santa Margarita, So.); Chris Trefzger (Mater Dei, Sr.); Connor Hughes (Mater Dei, Sr.); Jordan Rutledge (Orange Lutheran, Jr.); Maurice Torres (Orange Lutheran, Sr.); Nathan Corkhill (St. John Bosco, Sr.); Will Reutgen (Servite, Sr.); Riley Tanner (JSerra, Sr.)

Second Team: Graham Vallis (Santa Margarita, Jr.); Spencer Buckley (Santa Margarita, So.); Austin Buckley (Santa Margarita, Jr.); Harrison Carroll (Mater Dei, Sr.); Terry Zant (Mater Dei, Sr.); Brett Pickens (Orange Lutheran, Sr.); Michael Cate (Orange Lutheran, Jr.); Steven Coulton (Servite, Jr.); Jacob Landel (St. John Bosco, Sr.); Taylor Krowe (JSerra, Sr.)

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All-league boys volleyball: Sunset league

ocvarsity — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:45:09 +0000

SUNSET LEAGUE

Co-Most Valuable Players: Cody Caldwell (Newport Harbor, So.); J.B. Green (Newport Harbor, Sr.)

First Team: Connor Curry (Newport Harbor, Jr.); Hamilton Day (Newport Harbor, Sr.); Torey Darin (Edison, Jr.); Dillon Auxier (Edison, Sr.); Michael Brinkley (Edison, So.); Chris Hartig (Esperanza, Jr.); Brian Warnecke (Esperanza, Sr.); Brett Anderson (Esperanza, Jr.); Sean Senozan (Los Alamitos, Sr.); Dillon Emery (Fountain Valley, Sr.); Jacob Tricario (Marina, Sr.)

Second Team: Jeff Newell (Edison, Jr.); Nick Capriccio (Edison, Jr.); Scott Brake (Marina, Sr.); Matt Evans (Marina, Sr.); Brian Miller (Los Alamitos, Sr.); Garrett Sell (Los Alamitos, Sr.); Will Connelly (Newport Harbor, Jr.); Richard De St. Jean (Newport Harbor, Sr.); Josh Dorhman (Esperanza, Sr.); Chris Driem (Esperanza, Jr.); Kevin Smith (Esperanza, Jr.)

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All-league boys volleyball: Sea View league

ocvarsity — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:43:26 +0000

SEA VIEW LEAGUE

Co-Most Valuable Players: Dane Worley (Foothill, Sr.) and Charlie Condron (Huntington Beach, Sr.)

First Team: Aaron Wolfe (El Toro, Senior); Hunter Cannon (Foothill, Jr.); Jacob Lee (Foothill, Jr.); Tyler Kulakowski (Huntington Beach, Jr.); Zach Kimber (Huntington Beach, Jr.); Johl Awerkamp (Trabuco Hills, Sr.); Michael Lakin (Woodbridge, Sr.)

Second Team: PJ Stack (El Toro, Sr.); Cody Nielsen (Foothill, Jr.); Gary Bastien (Foothill, Jr.); Nick Siegle (Huntington Beach, Jr.); Robert McKinley (Huntington Beach, Sr.); Logan Churm (Northwood, Sr.); Adam Fries (Woodbridge, Jr.)

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All-league boys volleyball: Empire league

ocvarsity — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:41:16 +0000

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Most Valuable Player: Eric Tran (Cypress, Sr.)

First Team: Devon Nitta (Cypress, Sr.); Brian Seybert (Cypress, So.); Matt Neuschafer (Loara, Sr.); Mike Jones (Loara, Sr.); Chris Lelis (Loara, Jr.); Matt Morinishi (Kennedy, Jr.); Christian Tekurio (Kennedy, Sr.); Travis Wickham (Pacifica, Sr.); Chris Drake (Valencia, Sr.)

Second Team: Brendan Campbell (Cypress, Jr.); Justin Jenks (Cypress, Jr.); Donavin Tuitelelapaga (Loara, Sr.); Dean Lance Mora (Kennedy, Jr.); Mark Malana (Kennedy, Sr.); Robert Ross (Pacifica, Sr.); Matt Simek (Valencia, Jr.); Alex Valera (Katella, Sr.); Michael Hitchcock (Katella, Sr.)

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All-league boys volleyball: Academy league

ocvarsity — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:39:05 +0000

ACADEMY LEAGUE

Co-Most Valuable Players: Woody Quinn (St. Margaret’s, Jr.) and Bayle Smith (Sage Hill, Sr.)

Coaches of the Year: Karch Kiraly and Jeremy Dailey (St. Margaret’s)

First Team: Kory Kiraly (St. Margaret’s, Jr.); Haley Frost (St. Margaret’s, Sr.); Harlan Webster (Sage Hill, Sr.); Michael Bear (Sage Hill, Sr.); Samuel Chon (Whitney, Jr.); Christian Allen (Brethren Christian, Sr.); Justin Ryoo (Oxford Academy, Sr.)

Second Team: Kristian Kiraly (St. Margaret’s, Sr.); Kevin Wang (St. Margaret’s, Jr.); Alex Fragapane (St. Margaret’s, Jr.); Tucker Pettis (Sage Hill, Sr.); Justin Currlin (Whitney, Jr.); Jonathan Chang (Whitney, Jr.); Christopher Lu (Whitney, Jr.); Josh Roque (Brethren Christian, Sr.); Trevor Woods (Brethren Christian, Sr.); Bryan Argaez (Capistrano Valley Christian, Jr.)

Honorable Mention: Alex Lowe (Sage Hill, Sr.); Seth Villegas (Oxford Academy, Sr.); Riley Thomas (Capistrano Valley Christian, So.)

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Boys volleyball: Top 5 moments of 2009

Chris Tobolski, OCVarsity.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:06:23 +0000

Mater Dei's Connor Hughes goes up for a stuff. Carlos Delgado, for The Register.

Like a great novel you can't put down, the boys volleyball season was captivating from start to finish. The teams in the top 10 beat up on each other, and there were teams like Costa Mesa and Cypress who had amazing seasons without reaching the top 10.

The year provided lasting memories and entertaining drama.

Here's a look at the best of the best:

5. Dana Hills pushes Loyola to five games in second round of playoffs

The Dolphins were expected to test San Clemente's South Coast dominance this season. Instead Dana Hills received the third-place seeding from that league and drew the Division I top seed in Loyola in the second round. Since the Cubs had a first-round bye, the Dolphins had to travel and almost pulled off the upset of the year. They went the distance with the eventual champs, but fell in a wildly-entertaining fifth game, 23-21.

4. Costa Mesa's season and playoff run

The Mustangs finished tied for second in the Pacific Coast League and reached the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division II playoffs. All this without ever being ranked in the coaches' Division II poll all season. On top of that, Costa Mesa had its seventh coach in seven seasons - Garry Currier - and won only five games last year. They finished 17-6 this year. "I had high expectations coming here," Currier said. "I'm the new coach and I'm staying. I want to bring a tradition to the school. "

3. No. 1 Newport Harbor rallies to upend No. 2 Corona del Mar

It was the final match of the regular season and it pitted the top two teams in teams in the county against one another. It also happened to be part of the Battle of the Bay series between the Sailors and Sea Kings. It started well for CdM, which built a 2-0 lead on games. Newport Harbor rallied to force a decisive fifth game. In Game 5, the Sailors trailed 8-3 and 10-5 before taking the road victory 15-13.

2. Santa Margarita winning the Trinity League title

The Eagles were in and out of the top 10 at the beginning of the year, while rivals orange Lutheran and Mater Dei both were ranked in the top 5 at different points. It looked as if first place would come down to the Lancers and Monarchs, with the Eagles going third. Yet when the dust settled, Santa Margarita came out on top, sweeping Mater Dei and splitting with Lutheran to finish 9-1 and walk away with the championship banner.

1. Mater Dei upsets Mira Costa to reach Division I final

It appeared the writing was on the wall for the Monarchs, who were playing as the No. 11 seeds against the No. 2 seed. The Mustangs entered the match with one loss - to Loyola - and beat Mater Dei in the final of the Redondo Tournament earlier in the month. However, Connor Hughes provided a game-high 18 kills and Mater Dei not only upset Mira Costa, but swept the higher seed, 25-21, 25-20, 25-22, to reach the final for the third time in school history.

More from the boys volleyball blog:

Boys volleyball: Division I All-CIF team

Chris Tobolski, OCVarsity.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:43:42 +0000

The boys volleyball season official ended the second week of June.

The news hasn't stopped though. Here's a look at the All-CIF teams that were named.

Division I

Player of the Year – Matt Mirick, Loyola (12) S

Coach of the Year – Michael Boehle, Loyola

1st Team

Michael Dye, Loyola MB 12
Steve Irvin, Loyola OH 11
Connor Hughes, Mater Dei OH 12
Chris Trefzger, Mater Dei S 12
Ian Satterfield, Mira Costa OH 12
Mike Wilder, Long Beach Wilson OH 12
Maurice Torres, Orange Lutheran OPP 12
Chris Pratt, Santa Barbara MB 12
Brandon Fuimaono, Long Beach Wilson L 11

2nd Team

Sean Cotter, Loyola OH 12
Robert Feathers, Loyola MB 10
Harrison Carroll, Mater Dei OH 12
Evan Licht, Mira Costa MB 12
Jake Landel, St John Bosco OH 11
Louie Frost, Long Beach Wilson S 12
Sam Biscaro, Santa Barbara S 12
Chris Hartig, Esperanza OPP 11
Brian Warneke, Esperanza L 12

3rd Team

Tanner Jansen, Santa Margarita OH 12
Eric Mochalski, Mira Costa MB 12
Chad Smith, Loyola OPP 11
Eric Feldman, Palos Verdes OH 12
Ian Castellena, San Clemente MB 12
Dylan Davis, Corona del Mar MB 12
Dane Worley, Foothill OH 12
Torey Darin, Edison OPP 11
Charlie Condron, Huntington Beach L 12

All CIF teams:

Boys volleyball: Division III All-CIF team

Chris Tobolski, OCVarsity.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:33:25 +0000

The boys volleyball season official ended the second week of June.

The news hasn't stopped though. Here's a look at the All-CIF teams that were named.

Division III

Player of the Year – Taylor Sander, Norco, (11), OH

Coach of the Year –Pat Quinn, Oak Park

1st Team

Mitch Dunham, Norco OPP 12
Johannes Brink, Norco OH 11
Eric Varney, Oak Park OH 12
Jeff Sakaida, Oak Park OH 12
Ryan Kachold, Quartz Hill OPP 12
Michael Olvera, Mayfair MB 12
Eric Tran, Cypress OH 12
Alani Fua, Oaks Christian MB 11
Michael Black, Santa Monica L 11

2nd Team

Kevin Dell, Norco MB 11
Whitney Warren, Oak Park S 12
Evan Mottram, Quartz Hill OH 12
Hunter Horn, Quartz Hill MB 12
Ryan Hardy, Mayfair S 12
Paul Park, Mayfair OH 12
Oliver Macpherson, Oaks Christian S 12
Jon Bridgeman, Santa Ynez OPP 12
Tyler Diaz, Mayfair L 12

3rd Team

Ian Zavala, Quartz Hill MB 11
Devon Nitta, Cypress S 12
Christian McManus, Oak Park OPP 11
Andrew Wolinsky, Santa Ynez OH 11
Matt Silver, Santa Monica OPP 12
Julian Hess, Santa Monica MB 10
Lucas Sparks, Tahquitz OPP 11
Garrick Vanderfin, Bishop Diego OH 12
Spencer Slater, Norco L 11

All CIF teams: