Boys volleyball: Feasting on preleague fodder

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - With more defectors than returners from last year’s

2-12 team, Costa Mesa High boys coach Dave Sorrells may be justified in

lining up a preleague schedule stocked with the soft underbelly of Orange

County volleyball.

And faced with the inevitability of inferiority against Pacific Coast

League powers Northwood, Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, as well as a

University squad that swept the Mustangs last spring, Sorrells’ plan to

produce at least a front-loaded .500 record could be the Mustangs’ only

ticket to the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

A .500 record is required to earn an at-large playoff berth and the

Mustangs, 2-0 after sweeps of Calvary Chapel and Los Amigos, appear well

on their way.

And while Sorrells acknowledges a .500 record was on his mind when he

contracted prospective opponents, he isn’t willing to concede a top-three

PCL finish for his hard-working nine-player team.

“We’re not playing a real strong nonleague schedule, so we’ll have a

chance to grow and develop without getting crushed,” Sorrells said. “I’m

expecting to win the majority of our nonleague matches, then see what

happens in league.

“Northwood has everybody back and, along with CdM, should be the

favorites to win league. But, depending on how well we can get guys to

understand their roles and compete, we may have a chance to finish third

in league.

“We need our two setters to improve and our two middle blockers to get

better, but there’s much more discipline with this team than there was

last year. These guys are working hard. We have some good athletes and I

like their attitude. And I know for sure, I’m a much better coach than I

was last year.”

Seniors Carlos Jaime and Eli Solis, two returning starters, provide

the foundation for a roster that includes only two other returners.

Jaime, a 6-foot outside hitter just out from the basketball team, has

led the Mustangs with 20 and 16 kills, respectively, in their first two

wins.

Solis, a soccer star, had nine jump-serve aces against Calvary Chapel

and provides an additional hitting weapon, if he can overcome some

soreness in his rotator cuff.

Ed Moreno, a 5-11 senior returner, and Jordan Feldman, a 6-0 senior

newcomer, will share setting duties in Sorrells’ 6-2 system.

The middle will be manned by 6-4 senior newcomer Jeff Collett, while

5-11 junior Jason Hardy, the other returner, has made himself a valuable

part of the team with his passing, Sorrells said.

Freshman Mike Huang, a 6-0 middle blocker, as well as senior newcomers

Tony Valle and Andrew Strickland, both football players, will also need

to contribute if Mesa (1-9 in league last year) is to make the playoffs.

“My whole focus is going to CIF,” Sorrells said.

Costa Mesa boys volleyball

2 Mike Huang 6-0 Fr.

5 Jeff Collett 6-4 Sr.

7 Jason Hardy 5-11 Jr.

8 Andrew Strickland 5-10 Sr.

13 Ed Moreno 5-11 Sr.

17 Eli Solis 5-9 Sr.

24 Carlos Jaime 6-0 Sr.

29 Jordan Feldman 6-0 Sr.

84 Tony Valle 5-11 Sr.

Coach: Dave Sorrells