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Bryce Alderton

Reaching the CIF Southern Section Division III semifinals after

winning their first league title in 19 boys volleyball seasons only

whetted the appetite of Estancia High players to train harder and

work together toward the ultimate prize.

Just two points separated the Eagles (29-11), co-Golden West

League champions with Ocean View, from the CIF finals last year and

all six starters return to lead a squad ranked No. 1 in Division III

heading into Tuesday’s season-opening win over Division I power Los

Alamitos.

Tracey Ingraham, formerly Heims, begins her fourth year of leading

a resurgent program that went 0-10 in the Pacific Coast League two

years ago.

“I worked so hard to get a good schedule and the guys are excited

to see that,” said Ingraham (pronounced “Ingram”), who played

volleyball at Estancia. “Last year we weren’t ranked and it was tough

to get good games and into good tournaments. This year, we have

Division I and Division II teams and the guys are fired up about

that.

“The guys are doing their job. They are playing club and beach

volleyball and lifting. I don’t have to tell them to do anything.

They have been so committed and it’s nice they don’t have to get in

shape so we can pick up where we left off.”

Among the returning starters include 6-foot-4 senior captain and

opposite Josh Kornegay, who shared league Most Valuable Player

laurels a year ago and earned first-team All-CIF Division III status.

Kornegay is a four-year varsity member.

“He motivates the rest of the team through his own commitment to

the sport,” Ingraham said. “Any chance he has, he is in the gym. He’s

going to stand out.”

Junior setter Trevor Holmes, along with senior outside hitter Kris

Hartwell and 6-6 senior middle blocker Scott Sankey, a starter on the

basketball team, joined Kornegay on the all-league first team a year

ago and return this season.

“[Hartwell] hits so hard and so fast,” Ingraham said. “When people

watch the match, he is the one who gets the most oohs and aahs. He

normally hits it to the back row. You can’t stop him.”

Hartwell, an All-CIF second-team selection, and Kornegay each

honed their games playing for the Long Beach City club team.

Ingraham said more players are getting into club, which only helps

their development.

Senior outside hitter Brad Larsen garnered second-team all-league

honors a year ago and provides consistency.

“Unfortunately, he doesn’t get as much attention as Kris, be he

does everything: serving, passing, hitting,” Ingraham said. “He is a

guy who can pick up any ball no matter where it is on the court. He

is Mr. Dependable. Every coach has got to love a player like that.”

Sophomore middle blocker Dallas Kopp (6-5) has greatly improved in

the off-season and senior Taylor Hankins provides versatility.

“[Harkins] is a defensive specialist, but can play the middle and

outside,” Ingraham said.

Sophomore defensive specialist Ian Lamb is another player with

many positives and provides further versatility.

Sophomore Scott Markley played on the junior varsity team last

season and has seasoned his game at the club level.

The Eagles’ potent weapons will get to test their games against

the sport’s best during the Orange County and Santa Barbara

tournaments and the Redondo Union Varsity Classic, events they

couldn’t have dreamed about entering a few years ago.

“It was really difficult for us to get in to Santa Barbara,”

Ingraham said. “One of the things we are trying to establish is to be

compared with Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar. They are the teams

always dominating volleyball, so to be in a tournament with them is

exciting for us.”

The Eagles showed how far they’ve come by claiming the

championship of the Balboa Bay Volleyball Club fall league, knocking

off Woodbridge and Capistrano Valley before downing Santa Margarita

in the final.

“Their play shows their initiation,” Ingraham said. “It was

awesome. It gives them confidence. We were two points away from the

state championship last year, so it was key for them to go in there

and do it completely on their own as a team. That solidifies what an

amazing team this is. They work together and motivate each other to

go and win.”