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Pacific View League race too close to call

By Loren Ledin

Pacific View League may or may not be an impact player in the upcoming CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs. But it knows how to stage a great league race.

With the emergence of Rio Mesa as a bona fide league power, the PVL’s Big Three of Oxnard, Camarillo and Rio Mesa are engaged in a thriller to the wire.

How close is it? By the time tonight’s matches end, there could be a three-way tie atop the final standings.

Rio Mesa holds the inside track at 8-1 in league and 15-6 overall. Right behind are Camarillo (7-2, 16-5) and Oxnard (7-2, 11-11). Camarillo would forge a veritable dead heat if it can topple Rio Mesa on its home floor tonight.

“I know this: If we could somehow win the league championship or earn a co-championship, I would value this one as much or more than any of the other league titles we’ve won,” said Camarillo coach Rob Vandermay. “The reason being is that the caliber of competition throughout the league is as good as its ever been.

“It’s just not the top three teams. We’ve been pushed by Pacifica and Channel Islands and that has helped us to become a better team.”

Rio Mesa’s bid to wrap up a solo crown was put on hold April 22 when it lost a back-and-forth match in five games to host Oxnard. Even the losing coach was enthralled.

“It was insane,” said Rio Mesa’s Jeff Hollowell.

Then, Camarillo threw the race into a dither last Thursday with a three-game sweep over Oxnard, 25-18, 25-21, 27-25. Oxnard had won the first meeting between the longtime rivals, also by a sweep.

Vandermay, for one, thinks all the tight competition has allowed his team to make steady improvement.

“The way we were pushed and challenged by everybody pretty much exposed our weaknesses,” Vandermay said. “We’ve been able to work and improve and get better as the season has progressed.”

If Camarillo does win tonight, the league has steps to resolve the three-way deadlock for purposes of seeding in the CIF-SS playoffs.

The first tiebreaker, head-to-head competition, would still result in a wash. The second tiebreak, games won, swings the advantage toward Rio Mesa.

The Spartans could lose to Camarillo in five games tonight, and still claim the top seed in the PVL. If Camarillo can defeat Rio Mesa in three or four games, the Scorpions would earn the top seeding for postseason.

Tri-Valley League finale: The area’s other league championship to be resolved tonight is the Tri-Valley League.

Oak Park is undefeated in league at 9-0 (22-1 overall). Oaks Christian is one game behind at 8-1 (15-6 overall).

Oak Park has won the last five league matches against Oaks Christian, including a three-game sweep last month.

Simi Valley's fortunes may be changing

By Loren Ledin

Any turnaround for the Simi Valley High boys’ volleyball program just might start at the top.

A coach with vision, experience and commitment is needed to drive success in the rugged a.inline_topic:hover { background-color: #EAEAEA; } Marmonte League. The Pioneers may have found their man.

First-year coach Jesse Webster is a former player at Redondo Union who had coached for various club and high school programs, including Peninsula in Palos Verdes. The 29-year-old Webster also has played professionally on the beach volleyball circuit, primarilly the top-shelf AVP Tour.

Now he takes on the challenge of turning Simi Valley into a perennial contender.

“We’re definitely in the rebuilding mode this season because we don’t have a lot of experience,” said Webster. “But I like our talent and the competitiveness of this team. Our guys want to be successful.”

Except for brief runs this decade and in the 1990s, the Pioneers have mostly struggled in the Marmonte League. When arch rival Royal was dominating the league with 14 successive league championships, Simi Valley played the role of poor relation.

Simi Valley this year is 3-9 overall in 3-8 in league, but is flashing signs of improvement. There have two victories in the last three league matches, one of them a 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 sweep over Agoura last Friday. The Pioneers have extended second-place Thousand Oaks and third-place Royal into five-game matches.

Webster learned of Simi Valley’s opening for a head coach through friends in club volleyball and was impressed with the school and the caliber of competition in the Marmonte League. He was hired just weeks before the start of practice.

Now Webster looks to hone the young talent into a league threat.

“We got a little bit of a late start this year, but I think we’ve got all kinds of potential,” Webster said. “I hope I can make a difference.”

Webster knows what it takes to thrive as a CIF-Southern Section power. He was a member of the Redondo Union team that reached the Division II championship match in 1999, losing in the finals in five games to San Marcos.

“It was a lot of fun and so many great memories,” Webster said. “Hopefully, we can move in that direction with this program.”

Another rematch? Thousand Oaks lost to first-place Westlake in three games on Monday, all but wrapping up the second successive Marmonte League title for the Warriors.

Thousand Oaks has now dropped five consecutive matches to Westlake, including a loss in last year’s semifinals of the Division II playoffs.

But the Lancers are spoiling for one more shot this season.

“I love to see them again in the playoffs, because I think we can beat them,” said Thousand Oaks coach Andrew Vasquez. “We’ve got the talent to do it, we just need to get over the top.”

Westlake, the defending champion in Division II, and Thousand Oaks could very well meet again in the semifinals or finals of the CIF playoffs, depending on the seeding.

Westlake has all but locked up the top seed. Thousand Oaks is ranked No. 3 in the latest CIF-SS poll.

Rio Mesa making a lot of noise in PVL

By Loren Ledin

Posted April 22, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.

Pacific View League’s equivalent of “Man bites dog.”

That would be the Rio Mesa High boys’ volleyball team and its history-making quest over the past two seasons.

A year ago, the Spartans scored their first-ever victory over arch rival Camarillo and placed second in the Pacific View League standings for the first time in program history.

This year’s storyline could be even more dramatic.

The three-game sweep over Oxnard on April 6 was the first time in the PVL’s 11-year history the Spartans had defeated the Yellowjackets. Should Rio Mesa hold onto first place in the league race, it would mark the first time in 10 seasons that a program other than Oxnard or Camarillo won the PVL title.

“It’s definitely something I’ve talked about to the players,” said Rio Mesa coach Jeff Holloway. Our players know they can accomplish what hasn’t been done before.”

Channel Islands won the first PVL boys’ volleyball title in 1999, the league’s first year in existence. The Raiders were co-champions in 2000. Since then, Oxnard or Camarillo have won outright or shared the last nine league championships.

Rio Mesa is positioned to break the stranglehold.

Led by its big three of Paul Dubuke, Zech Burkhardt and setter Daniel Aguilar (“The Triumvirate,” as Holloway calls them.), Rio Mesa is 12-6 overall and stands in sole possession of first place in league at 5-0.

The key stretch of the schedule happens right now. The Spartans survived arch rival Camarillo in five arduous games on Tuesday, and head to Oxnard tonight for a rematch with the Yellowjackets.

With a victory tonight, Rio Mesa would seemingly finish no lower than tied for first place. No matter the outcome, Holloway knows his players will lead with their hearts.

“They really want this,” he said. “After last year, we had solid expectations coming into this season. Our guys accept the challenge and have worked hard.”

Holloway has revamped the program in three years as the head coach. The key step was finding athletes to fill out his roster.

“I had to do some recruiting, find the best athletes and convince them to give volleyball a shot,” Holloway said.

The plan has worked. Dubuke, for one, had never played volleyball before his sophomore year and now might be the league’s Most Valuable Player. Aguilar, a junior, played libero last year and now is the team’s orchestrator as the starting setter.

Yellowjackets motivated: Oxnard coach Pat Casey said his team was stunned by its three-game loss to Rio Mesa on April 6. Not so much by the defeat, but by the way it happened.

“We got outworked, outhustled,” said Casey. “You could see that they wanted it more than we did. The motivation since then was that it won’t happen again.

“We might get beat, but it won’t be because we’re outworked.”

Team leaders Chris Bossoletti, Ed Rodriguez and Nathan Sanchez have stepped up since then to lead Oxnard right back into the race.

The Yellowjackets swept Camarillo in three games last week, and now are 7-5 overall and 4-1 in league. A win over Rio Mesa tonight would pull Oxnard into a first-place tie.

“I told Holloway after our match that we still intended to go 9-1 in league,” said Casey. “We’ll see. Rio Mesa has been playing great all season. It should be a great match.”

Oak Park sweeps away Oaks Christian

By Loren Ledin

Posted April 13, 2010 at 11:28 p.m.

Oak Park High senior Michael Shea issued a spot-on assessment of his team’s modus operandi.

“As long as we play with fire and passion, we’re fine,” Shea said.

With Tuesday night’s opponent being arch rival a.inline_topic:hover { background-color: #EAEAEA; } Oaks Christian School, emotion wasn’t a problem.

Christien McManus racked up 21 kills and Shea finished with 11 as the Oak Park boys’ volleyball team rolled up a 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 victory over Oaks Christian in a a.inline_topic:hover { background-color: #EAEAEA; } Tri-Valley League showdown at Oak Park.

Sam Saltman notched 26 assists, Zach Moskowitz had 17 assists and Bradley Sakaida finished with 20 digs as Oak Park improves to 12-1 overall and 5-0 in league. Despite eight kills, 13 digs and one block from Carter Franciskovic and eight kills from Kyle Schoch, Oaks Christian (6-4, 4-1) takes its first loss in league.

The sweep may have been surprising, given that Oak Park is ranked No. 2 in CIF-Southern Section Division III and Oaks Christian is rated just a few steps behind at No. 5. But maybe not surprising given Oak Park’s array of firepower on display so far this season.

On this night, the Eagles’ McManus was a virtual Lions’ killer.

“I was so pumped up,” said the 6-foot-2 outside hitter. “Anytime we play Oaks Christian, it’s a big match. We got off to a strong start, and we wanted to make sure we kept them down.”

It was a virtuoso performance from McManus, who was launching kills from the front row, back row and everywhere else on the court. After a string of laser shots, his final kill — that upped the lead to 23-11 in Game 3 — was a gentle push that cleared the defenders and fell to the court untouched.

“Everything went well tonight,” McManus said.

The victory offered another confidence-booster for Oak Park, which reached the Division III championship match a year ago but has only three seniors on the roster.

“To beat Oaks Christian takes us to a different level,” said Shea.

Self-belief may be an illusive factor for Oaks Christian, with six underclassmen on the nine-man roster.

“We just need to stay confident,” said Franciskovic, a junior outside hitter. “We play well, and then we tend to get down on ourselves if we make a few mistakes. We just have to focus and stay positive.”

Oak Park managed to stay aggressive against its arch rival, as evidenced by the numbers.

Leading just 14-12 in Game 1, the Eagles won nine of the next 10 points to take charge. Instrumental was a block and three consecutive kills by Shea, and two kills by Peter Massey.

Game 2 featured nine kills by McManus and a robust 20 kills collectively for Oak Park.

The game featured Oaks Christian’s best stretch in turning a 19-12 deficit into a two-point disadvantage at 20-18. But a passing error by the Lions upped the deficit to 21-18, and McManus gave his team control with back-to-back kills.

There was no letup for Oak Park in Game 3.

A 3-2 disadvantage became an 8-3 lead via a 6-0 run. Justin Park collected three kills and one block in the final game to end up with seven kills for the Eagles.

Oaks Christian starting to win

By Loren Ledin

Posted April 8, 2010 at midnight

His teams won four successive CIF-Southern Section championships from 2005 through 2008. But Oaks Christian coach George Hees says winning the next one is hardly his top priority.

“Winning No. 5 would be great, but it’s not the reason I coach,” he says. “I enjoy teaching kids and watching them develop. I enjoy seeing kids have fun playing volleyball. The challenge is always to help kids become the best players they can be.”

Through the season’s first half of the sehedule, Hees’ emphasis on teaching has helped direct a turnaround for his young roster.

After losing five of its first seven matches, Oaks Christian has won its last four, including all three in the a.inline_topic:hover { background-color: #EAEAEA; } Tri-Valley League. The Lions stand 6-5 overall and 3-0 in league heading into Tuesday’s showdown against league rival Oak Park.

Hees said there’s a simple winning formula for his players.

“It’s playing as a team,” he said. “We have the talent, but our guys have to play together to be successful. We struggled at the top of the season, but our chemisty is getting better with each match.”

The Lions don’t seem shy on talent, just experience.

Only two seniors are on the roster, and one of those is a basketball player who never played volleyball in high school before this season.

Two sophomores start, as does a freshman, Jennings Franciskovic, who is the team’s setter.

“I think we’re a contender this season,” said Hees. “We should continue to get better and better as the season goes along.”

Carter Franciskovic, a 6-foot-4 junior outside hitter, has sprouted into one of the region’s top players. He ranks among the county leaders in kills with 150 out of 262 attempts (57 percent), and in digs with 92. He also has 14 blocks.

“He’s turning into quite a player,” said Hees. “As a junior, he continues to improve and he wants the ball in pressure situations.”

Kevin Schoch, a 6-4 senior, ranks just behind Franciskovic with 105 kills and 10 blocks. Freshman Jennings Franciskovic has already racked up 400 assists, or an average of 10.8 per game.

The most interesting storyline falls to 6-7 senior Stephen Saska, who hasn’t played volleyball since middle school and was recruited off the basketball team. It seems the Lions had a hole in the middle when All-CIF-SS middle blocker Alani Fua decided to forego his senior year to focus on football conditioning.

Fua is also a standout defensive end who has signed a football letter intent with BYU.

“His (Fua’s) future is football, so I totally understand his decision,” said Hees. “Fortunately, Stephen has come along and done a great job. I don’t think I’ve ever had a player work any harder.”

After four successive wins, the big test for Oaks Christian comes Tuesday in a matchup with Oak Park. The Eagles are 11-1 and ranked No. 2 in the CIF-SS Division III.

“It’s been a great rivalry for both schools,” said Hees. “I know they have made us a better team just by competing against them a couple of times a season, and I think we’ve done the same for them.”

Pacific surprise? Rio Mesa was the surprise team in the Pacific View League a year ago in finishing second and breaking the 1-2 monopoly that Oxnard and Camarillo have owned in the league since its inception.

In Tuesday’s league opener, the Spartans swept defending champion Oxnard in three games, 25-16, 25-18, 25-17.

Zech Burkhardt had 11 kills and seven blocks, and Mark O’Dell had seven kills.

Magorien powers Westlake

By Sean Ceglinsky

Posted March 31, 2010 at 11:23 p.m.

Westlake High’s Travis Magorien picked apart the Newbury Park defense during the second game of Wednesday‘s Marmonte League boys’ volleyball match. The junior setter could seemingly do no wrong.

Magorien put the ball in play all over the court, and unfortunately, the Panthers never figured out an answer. At one point, he served five consecutive points, including three straight aces that found open space on the floor.

It was just one of those nights for Magorien, and the rest of his teammates, as the Warriors jumped out to an early lead and applied the pressure the rest of the way en route a 25-15, 25-17, 25-20 Marmonte League victory over host Newbury Park.

“We came into this match with a lot of confidence,’’ said Magorien, who finished with 43 assists and seven digs, to go along with handful of kills and aces. “I was really feeling it in the second game, especially with my serve.’’

Adrian Powditch and Keats Stanley got off to great starts for Westlake (10-1, 7-0), due in large part to some great setting from Magorien. The trio combined for numerous kills to give the Warriors an 8-4 lead in the first game.

Kevin Alvarez answered for the Panthers (8-6, 4-4). The senior served three consecutive points, including an ace to cut the deficit to 10-9.

Powditch followed with a pair of kills, Keats added an ace, Jonathan Christie had a block and Stanley sealed a 25-15 victory with a crosscourt spike.

Magorien opened the second game by serving five straight points. Minutes later, Taylor Tattersall had a block and a kill for the Warriors, who built a 10-4 lead.

Stanley took over from there. The junior played big at the net and turned away two Matt Jeske attempts. The stuff blocks extended the advantage to 16-5.

“Keats is an outstanding player,’’ Westlake coach Doug Magorien said. “When he’s on top of his game, I’m not sure there’s a better player around.’’

Undeterred, Jeske served back-to-back points. Teammate Ryan Wardell then delivered an ace. Following a Vaughn Wellenreter block and Jeske kill, the Panthers had some much-needed momentum and trailed 20-15.

Powditch responded with a kill, Magorien came up with a block, and Westlake won the second game, 25-17, on a Newbury Park serving error.

Newbury Park played well, inspired, for stretches of the third game.

Magorien, however, restored some order. He ended up finding Powditch and Stanley for three kills and the Warriors regained the advantage, 10-5.

The Panthers refused to go away quietly. Jeske, Alvarez and Andrew Comeaux led a rally to make things interesting and tie the score, 19-19.

Magorien proved to be the difference down the stretch. He set up Kirk Jones for a pair of kills, and then, handed out assists to Powditch and Stanley, of course. The Warriors won the third game, 25-20, and the match on a Stanley kill.

“Westlake is a good team,’’ Newbury Park coach Jorge Ostrovsky said. “The key for us was not to be intimidated by them. Overall, we did a good job.’’

Powditch had 13 kills and nine digs. Stanley finished with 11 kills and three blocks.

Stephan Santos had a game-high six kills for the Panthers. Alvarez added 13 digs.

Royal gets ready to do some decorating

Victory over Thousand Oaks is a virtual league clincher

By Jeffrey Dransfeldt

Posted November 4, 2009 at 12:01 a.m.

Kathleen Wright glanced up at the past Marmonte League Championships earned by Royal High teams listed along the gymnasium wall.

Soon, the Royal volleyball team will be able to add the 2009 team to the Highlanders’ history books.

Royal essentially clinched the Marmonte League championship Tuesday night with a three-game sweep of visiting Thousand Oaks, 25-12, 25-22, 25-20.

The league title will be Royal’s first since 2000. The Highlanders (19-13 overall) have lost just one game in compiling a 13-0 league record, and can make it 14-0 with a win Thursday at Simi Valley.

“Coming into this game, I was kind of sad that it was my last league home game,” Wright said. “During it, I didn’t even think about it. I just thought about playing and winning with my team.”

Wright illustrated that intense focus throughout the match with her all-around contributions. The senior outside hitter accumulated 20 kills, seven digs and seven blocks.

“She’s a very strong player all the time and she has a way of rising to the occasion,” Royal coach Heidi Buonauro said. “The tougher the competition gets, the tougher Kathleen gets.”

Royal ran out to a 10-2 lead in Game 1. Thousand Oaks (14-8, 10-3) narrowed it to 16-11 on a kill by Karis Schneider.

But Wright made it 17-11 with a kill, and a short time later made it 21-12 with a booming kill across the middle as Royal eventually took the first game, 25-12.

Royal took over in Game 2 with the teams tied at 18. Katie Deamer’s attack went into the net and Maddie Simpson had a kill for a 21-19 Royal edge. The lead widened to three, 24-21, on a Wright kill and ended, 25-21, with a kill from Kayla Rubio.

Thousand Oaks led through the first half of the third game. Royal went ahead for good at 19-18, and closed the match with four of the five final points made by Amanda Soper for 25-20 Game 3 win.

Simpson had 29 assists and 11 digs for Royal. Soper had 11 digs, while Rebecca Jones collected seven.

Schneider led Thousand Oaks with nine kills. Summer Esseff and Deamer each had seven kills. Ashley Rosenberg had 11 assists and seven digs.

The Star’s rankings

1. Royal (19-3)

Comment: Next challenge will be Division I-AA playoffs.

Last week: Swept Agoura, Moorpark.

2. Buena (11-6)

Comment: In position to lock down playoff berth.

Last week: Did not play.

3. La Reina (20-4)

Comment: Opens Channel League this week

Last week: Defeated Bisop Diego, Oaks Christian.