Josh Kornegay

Steve Virgen

This was supposed to be Josh Kornegay’s breakout season in boys

volleyball and nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to stop him.

The Estancia High junior had put in way too much time to disappoint

the expectations he made for himself heading into the 2003 season.

During the off-season, Kornegay trained and played with Surf City,

the Huntington Beach-based volleyball club. He moved from his usual

middle blocker position to opposite and began to showcase his various

skills. He set himself up for what would be a special season for the

Eagles. However, all that hope could have came to an end a month ago.

Kornegay broke his left thumb and his doctor wanted to put it in a

cast for six weeks. Kornegay injured the thumb on his non-hitting

hand during a four-game win against Saddleback April 7, when the

Eagles improved to 5-0 in league.

Estancia Coach Tracey Heims wanted to play it safe and asked

Kornegay to wear the cast, sit out the six weeks and come back ready

for the CIF playoffs. There was worry Kornegay would worsen the

injury by playing, especially when blocking.

“Sitting out would have been the safer and more logical decision,”

Kornegay said. “But I wouldn’t go with that.”

Kornegay went against the doctor’s orders and defied the odds.

“I just taped it up and played,” said Kornegay, Estancia’s team

captain. “I just wanted to play. We were doing really good. We were

headed to CIF and I really didn’t want to stop playing.”

Kornegay said the thumb is healed. However, he’s battling the flu

this week. The challenges never seem to cease for Kornegay. Yet,

overcoming obstacles seems to be the best reason he has fulfilled the

role as team captain.

“He is perfect for that role,” Heims said. “He’s my most stable

player and you need that in a leader. He knows when to hold his

players accountable and when to leave them alone. He’s a steady

player and he definitely leads by example. He knows the game so well

and he’s good at communicating with the team, the referees and me.

The guys on the team respect him because he leads by example with his

attitude on the court.”

Kornegay’s approach to the game has improved each year since his

freshman season. He played on the varsity team as a middle blocker

and did the same as a sophomore, enduring two losing seasons.

However, the Eagles, just as Kornegay thrived with his new position

as opposite, broke out in the Golden West League.

Estancia captured a share of the league title, its first

championship since 1984. The Eagles have also brought excitement to

their school as they prepare for the CIF Division III playoffs.

“I’ve been on varsity since my freshman year,” Kornegay said.

“And, right now it is awesome. It’s complete opposite from my first

two seasons.”

Kornegay was quick to credit his teammates when discussing why the

2003 season has been so special and groundbreaking. He said several

of the Estancia players competed in clubs during the off-season.

There has also been more camaraderie and chemistry than in seasons

past. The Eagles developed relationships during the season and during

tournaments, such as one in Las Vegas during spring break and another

in Redondo, last weekend.

Kornegay amassed 51 kills in six matches at the Redondo

Tournament, as he illustrated the results that have come from

Estancia’s team chemistry. Throughout last week, Kornegay, the Daily

Pilot Athlete of the Week, averaged 10 kills per match through eight

matches. He collected 14 kills to lead Estancia to a four-game win

over Orange May 5. And, the very next day he recorded 15 kills in a

sweep of Santa Ana.

“I have a lot of talented guys, but he is really multi-talented,”

Heims said. “He leads the team in solo blocks and he’s up there in

kills. His jump serve has been on. In the back row and the front, he

has been contributing. He is smart and he knows exactly where to put

the ball. Hitting and blocking are his strengths, but he can also

set. He really brings a lot to our team.”