Tim Stranske

School: Whittier Christian High

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Outside hitter

Class: Senior

Before last week, Stranske had played mostly a supporting role for Whittier Christian. He was the backup setter and back-row player last season when the Heralds won the Southern Section 2-A title. This season, he moved to the front row and started a couple of times, but because of the strong players in front of him he didn’t crack the lineup for good. But Wednesday in the 2-A semifinals, Stranske stepped in because of an injury to Adam Keife and made the most of it. “It wasn’t like he was totally unfamiliar with starting, but considering the importance of the matches . . . he just went in and did it,” Whittier Christian Coach Dave Herron said. Stranske, 6 feet 2, had 14 kills in the Heralds’ five-game victory over Rosemead Bosco Tech in the semifinals and then had 18 in a four-game victory over Calvary Chapel in the title match Saturday. “Our setter said that Stranske was hot,” Herron said. “And I told them, ‘Keep setting him, keep setting him.’ ”

Other top performers:

* Danny Fuller, who pitched a three-hitter, striking out nine, in helping Calvary Chapel to a 2-1 victory over Hesperia Christian in the Small Schools Division playoffs.

* Shawn Holcomb, who allowed two hits in five innings to gain the decision in El Dorado’s 13-3 victory over Mater Dei and saved the Golden Hawks’ 6-3 victory over Simi Valley Royal in the 5-A playoffs. Holcomb had three hits and four runs batted in against Mater Dei and a two-run homer against Royal.

* Jeff Marsden and Daniel Roditi, San Clemente tennis players who defeated Jeremy Driscoll and Steen Lundblad of Dana Hills for the Southern Section doubles championship.

* Tony Parrish, a Marina triple jumper whose mark of 49 feet 4 1/4 inches was the best of the Southern Section Masters meet.