Boys volleyball: Young Eagles building

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Though a lack of participants was the leading reason

Estancia High’s boys volleyball program has only a varsity team this

season, second-year coach Tracey Heims believes it would have been a

shame to separate a group of six sophomores who have spent a lot of time

together on the court.

So, that sophomore nucleus, keyed by 6-foot-2 middle blocker and team

captain Josh Kornegay, remains intact. It also is a big reason behind the

optimism flowing in the Eagles’ gym, after a string of down seasons.

“He have a lot of good things going on,” said Heims, a former

All-Pacific Coast League standout for the Estancia girls team, who has

overseen a 3-2 start this season.

“We’re building this season. Even though it’s a young group, a lot of

them have been playing together since TeWinkle (junior high).”

Heims said Kornegay and freshman setter Trevor Holmes, the program’s

only club players, are big reasons to feel good about the future, which

will include a spot in the Golden West League next spring.

“Josh split time last year between our junior varsity and varsity and,

by the end of the season, he was our kill leader,” Heims said. “He has

been playing club and his development has just been amazing. He’s getting

noticed every place we go. He’s smart, he has skills, he’s strong and

he’s very competitive. He’s definitely our go-to hitter. He sets the pace

for the rest of the guys.”

Kornegay has backed up his coach’s praise, leading the Eagles in kills

all season. He plays for the Surf City Club based in Huntington Beach.

Holmes, only 5-6, is a veteran of the Balboa Bay Club program. That

background has eased his transition to varsity competition.

Chris Hartwell, a 6-0 sophomore, hits the ball harder than any of his

teammates, said Heims, who also noted he has grown about six inches since

playing on the junior varsity last season.

Brad Larsen, another 6-0 outside hitter, is a strong defensive player,

while 6-4 sophomore middle blocker Scott Sankey, a transfer from Newport

Harbor, has already shown he can provide a formidable presence at middle

blocker.

Morgan Wilson, whom Heims said has polished his game by playing a lot

on the beach, helps the Eagles’ ball control. Though only 5-5, the

sophomore can also hit out of the back row and Heims said he is always a

threat from the service line.

Carlos Diaz, a junior defensive specialist, joins Kornegay as the lone

returners from last year’s unit, which graduated seven seniors.

Among last year’s standouts was Dan Wotta, a second-team All-PCL

performer who is now Heims’ assistant coach.

In addition to their promise on the court, Heims praised her players’

work habits, another factor behind projections of success down the road.

“It’s a little easier to coach this year, because these guys know what

they’re doing.” Heims said. “They show up on time, even early, and they

want to stay late.”

While the PCL includes traditional powers Corona del Mar and Laguna

Beach, as well as already strong newcomer Northwood, the Eagles, playing

an expanded nonleague schedule, are eager to see how they stack up

against crosstown rival Costa Mesa.

“We play Mesa at home April 10 and we’re at their place April 26,”

Heims said.

The Eagles open PCL action March 26 at Northwood.

Estancia boys volleyball roster

1 Morgan Wilson 5-5 So. DS

2 Josh Kornegay 6-2 So. MB

3 Trevor Holmes 5-6 Fr. Set

4 Kris Hartwell 6-0 So. OH

5 Chris Perkins 5-11 Jr. OH

6 Carlos Diaz 5-9 Jr. DS

7 Jordan Stoddard 6-1 Fr. OH

8 Taylor Hankins 5-8 So. OH

9 Scott Sankey 6-4 So. MB

10 Jaime Salas 6-1 Jr. OH

15 Brad Larsen 6-0 So. OH

Coach: Tracey Heims