Boys volleyball: Mustangs starting anew

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Northwood High is making its varsity debut in Pacific

Coast League boys volleyball this spring, but, even without seniors, the

Timberwolves may be ahead of the Costa Mesa program.

After mass defections, Coach Dave Sorrells and assistant Darlene

Bailey have 12 eligible players in the entire program, with only one

returning varsity player.

But while they are still far from polished, Sorrells said he is more

than pleased with the work ethic and attitude displayed by his

inexperienced group.

“Half of these kids haven’t played volleyball, but every one of them

is committed to working hard and trying to get better,” Sorrells said.

“These kids are running through walls for me and I’ll do the same for

them. From a pure coaching standpoint, this is going to be a great

experience. By the end of the season, these kids are going to learn some

lessons they never learned before, about what it takes to be a team, to

compete and to really work hard.”

The Mustangs will compete in the University tournament, beginning

today , before playing their first nonleague match March 12 against

Rancho Alamitos.

“I’m treating Darlene (a former collegiate women’s coach who guided

the Mesa girls last fall) as basically a co-coach, so it’s really

benefiting the kids to have two coaches,” said Sorrells, who has all but

given up hope on fielding a junior varsity team.

Senior Carlos Jaime is the lone varsity returner, but Mike Payne, a

6-foot-7 All-PCL basketball player, has joined the program and is showing

great promise.

Junior Eduardo Moreno is the starting setter, while senior newcomer

Marco Santangelo, a standout for the soccer team, has already earned a

starting spot, according to Sorrells.

Battles for the remaining two starting spots continue and Sorrells

said each kid will get a chance to make an impact.

Costa Mesa boys volleyball

1 Gilbert Landeros 5-9 So.

2 Allan Le 5-10 So.

7 Carlos Jaime 6-0 Jr.

8 Mike Warner 5-9 So.

9 Tom Hamilton 5-10 Sr.

10 Marco Santangelo 5-10 Sr.

13 Eduardo Moreno 5-11 Jr.

15 John Santos 5-7 So.

16 Jason Hardy 5-9 So.

18 Brandon Trejo 5-11 Jr.

21 Brad Ayers 5-8 Jr.

22 Huy Pham 5-5 Fr.

31 Mike Payne 6-7 Sr.

Coach: Dave Sorrells