Prep column: CIF rule pushes CdM off marquee

Barry Faulkner

A brief preview in the program for Saturday’s CIF Southern Section

Division I boys volleyball final referred to the Corona del Mar-Newport

Harbor matchup as the “main event.”

A more accurate and concise description could not have been used for the

Back Bay showdown, which thrilled close to 3,000 spectators for five

games, spanning more than two hours, in the steamy Cypress College gym.

It was the second straight year the two schools have met in the sport’s

ultimate showcase.

But, after an unfathomable alteration of section rules, which will forbid

teams in lower divisions from challenging bigger schools in

enrollment-based playoffs such as boys and girls volleyball, CIF

publications will need to use more creative adjectives, beginning next

fall.

“I wonder what the main event is going to be next year?” quipped CdM

Coach Steve Conti, among those still mystified as to why malcontents,

including those from the Sunset League who initiated the proposal that

was later approved by the section council, would diminish the

major-division title by limiting the field.

If CdM, a Division III volleyball school by enrollment, is the best team

in the section, as few would argue this spring, why then remand the Sea

Kings to the little kids’ table at the section title feast?

Forcing the Sea Kings to play in Division III this year would have been

like leaving Lennox Lewis on the undercard, while Butterbean plodded on

as the headliner.

Newport Harbor was on the enrollment bubble between Division II and

Division I this year and is expected to fall on the Division I side with

increased enrollment next year. But the Tars have long relished, with

Coach Dan Glenn’s insistence, the chance to challenge the best volleyball

competition available.

Conti remained in Division III in 1997 and ‘98, embarrassing some small

private schools (and boring fans) in playoff blowouts, en route to the

finals both years.

But, having reestablished a winning tradition at one of the section’s

most productive volleyball factories, Conti moved up to Division I the

last two springs.

This decision left Division III power Santa Ynez to add section crowns in

1999 and 2000, giving the Pirates five Division III titles in seven

years. They were runners-up twice during that span, including a

title-match defeat by CdM in ’98.

Santa Ynez, as is its right, has refused to move up to combat tougher

competition. Consequently, it has not attained the respect afforded CdM

and Newport Harbor.

Glenn, perhaps the most outspoken critic of the new policy -- section

administrators, to name a few, do not appreciate his suggested reforms to

keep anything close to the status quo -- will have to grin and bear

whatever competition his enrollment figures line up with.

If, by chance, that competition resides across the Back Bay, they’ll have

to settle the issue in nonleague matches (a rivalry sure to continue,

even if not in the postseason).

Maybe they should schedule three nonleague matches each year. One at each

school’s gym and the other at Cypress College, to be billed the “main

event.”

The fans would, no doubt, pack the joint and the Southern Section coffers

would get none of the proceeds.

q

CdM’s 15-3, 6-15, 15-12, 9-15, 15-6 victory over Newport Harbor Saturday

extended the Sea Kings’ season-ending winning streak to 20 matches. It’s

the sixth longest single-season win streak in section history and puts

the Sea Kings (22-1 this spring) in position to challenge those on the

section’s all-time list.

Three schools have won 21 straight, three more 22 in a row, with one

school each posting 23 and 24 straight triumphs.

Whittier Christian tops the list at 45 (1991-94), followed by St. John

Bosco (38 in 1992-93), Royal (37 in 1989-90) and Santa Ynez (31 in

1995-96).

q

As usual, players from both sides of the Back Bay displayed consummate

sportsmanship as they squared off in the heated atmosphere that surrounds

any CIF championship event.

Smiles and pats on the back accompanied prematch handshake lines at the

net and players from each school applauded while those from the other

received their postmatch awards.

q

Newport Harbor Principal Bob Boies, who presented the Sailor awards after

the match, got a hug from senior middle blocker Brad Craig, who was

inserted to serve twice, despite still moving gingerly with a badly

sprained ankle sustained in the quarterfinals.

Boies, however, did not have to endure a congratulatory kiss, such as the

one Gahr High senior George Servino planted on the cheek of the gentleman

presenting the Division II champion Gladiators’ awards immediately prior

to the Back Bay showdown.

q

Russ King, a former Estancia High player who served as a lower-level

coach and varsity assistant for departed boys basketball coach Rich

Boyce, will be considered strongly for the position.

King, however, will not run unopposed. Among those who have expressed

interest is Newport Harbor assistant Rick Cook.

Cook, first introduced to Newport-Mesa basketball observers as the former

high school coach of late Costa Mesa boys coach Jason Ferguson (at

Workman High in City of Industry), joined Larry Hirst’s staff before last

season and impressed the Sailors’ head man.

“He’s the smartest person I’ve ever been around when it comes to

basketball,” Hirst said.