Boys volleyball: Organized labor

Barry Faulkner

CORONA DEL MAR - The Corona del Mar High boys volleyball practice

floor is a union shop. Guys who pay their dues, work hard and follow the

direction given by Coach Steve Conti, usually wind up being rewarded with

the biggest payoff: a CIF Southern Section title.

So, while last year’s labor leaders -- including CIF Division I and

Newport-Mesa District MVP Kevin Hansen, as well as All-CIF performers

Greg Stampley and Alec Hanson -- have moved on, Conti is confident his

2001 squad will produce anything but working stiffs.

“We were a bit of a late-blooming team last year, because we had a lot

of guys come out late from basketball,” Conti said. “We may bloom a

little late again this year, because of inexperience.”

But inexperience at CdM has been a relative term, since most of

Conti’s players are seasoned by years of competition at the club level.

“We always seem to have a few question marks, but we also seem to

always have some guys step up with breakthrough seasons,” Conti said.

“And, before the season starts, I’m usually not sure who those guys are

going to be.”

Conti expects senior returning starters Brian Gallagher, Forrest Mack

and Charlie Alshuler to be among the more bankable talent this spring.

The trio, all of whom were second-team All-PCL selections last year, were

among those who helped the Sea Kings finish 22-1 in 2000. The Sea Kings

capped the season by defeating Newport Harbor in the CIF Division I title

match, a rematch of the Division I final won by the Sailors in 1999.

This year, however, CIF Division IV powerhouse Santa Ynez will occupy

the Sea Kings’ postseason focus, since a section rule change forces them

to play in Division IV, based on their enrollment, instead of seeking the

best competition by “playing up” in Division I.

CdM will need to play up to fare well with its typically rugged

schedule (which includes Newport Harbor in the May 4 regular-season

finale at CdM). But, when it comes to the postseason, others, including

Santa Ynez, will be forced to meet the challenge presented by the Sea

Kings.

“I think we’ll be good,” said Conti, who will count on senior Evan

Burden, junior John Grod and senior Garrett Macklin to round out the

starting lineup.

Gallagher, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, will be a featured offensive

weapons, while Burden, a 5-10 setter, will also likely lean on the 6-1

Alshuler. Alshuler will shift to outside hitter from middle blocker,

where his competitiveness helped him overcome a height disadvantage last

season.

“Brian is one of those guys who likes to take a big swing at the

ball,” Conti said. “He won’t be intimidated.”

Alshuler played outside hitter his first two years in the program,

before filling a need last season in the middle.

“He’s moving back to his natural position this year, though I

hesitate to say middle blocker isn’t his natural position based on how

well he played there last year,” Conti said.

Burden, who backed up Hansen, now at Stanford, becomes the trigger man

on offense. Conti expects him to join Gallagher and Alshuler as the

team’s primary leaders.

Mack, a 6-6 middle, could emerge as a formidable force this season,

after gaining experience last year.

“Last year, Stampley led us in kills in 95% of our matches,” Conti

said. “But Forrest was our kill leader when we beat Newport Harbor in the

Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions and we’ll rely on him more this

year.”

Grod, 5-10, will fill a utility role and Conti expects his all-around

skills to flourish.

“He brings a lot of energy to the court, which I like,” Conti said.

“And his ball control was one of the reasons he saw some time as a

sophomore.”

Macklin, a 6-3 middle, should benefit from last year’s experience,

which included starting in a playoff match.

Ryan Inman, a 6-4 junior and Bart Welch, a 6-0 sophomore, are among

those Conti will count upon off the bench.

Pat Flynn, a 6-2 senior, shared MVP honors with Welch on last year’s

junior varsity and will compete for time at outside hitter.

Spencer Miller, a setter up from the JV, will play when Conti uses a

six-two system, while Miles Yourman, a 6-2 sophomore, is another varsity

newcomer with potential.

Seniors David Dahn and Brian Moore, both 6-2 middle blockers, also

help create the kind of depth Conti has shown he’s never afraid to

utilize. Dahn’s status may be clouded by a lingering back injury,

according to his coach.

CdM has won 20 straight best-of-five matches heading into tonight’s

5:45 opener at Capistrano Valley.

Corona del Mar roster

2 Charlie Alshuler 6-1 Sr.

4 David Dahn 6-2 Sr.

5 Evan Burden 5-10 Sr.

6 Spencer Miller 6-2 Jr.

7 Garrett Macklin 6-3 Sr.

9 Pat Flynn 6-2 Sr.

10 Brian Gallagher 6-3 Sr.

12 Bart Welch 6-0 So.

13 John Grod 5-10 Jr.

14 Miles Yourman 6-2 So.

15 Brian Moore 6-2 Sr.

16 Forrest Mack 6-6 Sr.

23 Ryan Inman 6-4 Jr.

Coach: Steve Conti