Kevin Joyce

Rick Devereux

Success is sweet, but its secret is sweat.

Sage Hill School outside hitter Kevin Joyce knows much about both

success and sweat, having led the Lightning (13-1, 8-1 in league) to

a tie in the Academy League boys volleyball standings. Sage Hill also

jumped up from ninth to fourth in CIF Southern Section Division V.

Joyce pounded 21 kills May 4 in a sweep of St. Margaret’s, and 21

kills, 11 digs and five blocks April 30 in a win against Brethren

Christian. The senior also finished with 17 kills against Whitney

April 27.

“Kevin has been our top kills and digs leader for the past four

years,” Coach Merja Connelly-Freund said. “He’s one of the most

natural athletes I’ve ever coached.”

Natural or not, Joyce has been improving his volleyball abilities

since joining the Balboa Bay Volleyball Club as an eighth grader, so

much so that USC has invited Joyce to try out as a walk-on.

The athletic competition at USC is notably stronger than at Sage

Hill, but Joyce isn’t too concerned because of his involvement with

the club team.

“I’ve been playing for the Balboa Bay Club for four years,” he

said. “I have matured a lot in the game since joining Balboa Bay.

I’ve increased my knowledge of the game.”

“I have no doubts that Kevin will be able to contribute as a

passer right away for USC,” Connelly-Freund said, adding that she

thinks he might play more for the Trojans once he gets stronger in

the weight room.

One thing is for certain: Joyce contributes for the Lightning

right now.

“No one stops him, whether he hits from the front or the back

row,” Connelly-Freund said. “We could give every ball to Kevin.”

Connelly-Freund said Sage Hill doesn’t use Joyce as a decoy, but his

presence helps the Lightning have a balanced attack.

Joyce attributes a lot of his success due to the play of his

teammates.

“I wouldn’t be getting 21 kills without my teammates making passes

and the setters making sets,” he said.

Even though Joyce is the star of the team, he isn’t the vocal

leader.

“He’s a quite leader. He leads by example” Connelly-Freund said.

“But Kevin would have no problem being a leader if his team starts to

slack off.”

“I think actions speak louder than words,” Joyce said. “I let my

teammates do the vocal part. I’ve never been a loud teammate.”

Joyce’s actions would be wise to follow for many people, not just

his Sage Hill volleyball team. Joyce has a 3.6 grade point average

and his coach describes him as one of the most courteous players she

has ever coached.

“He is a very humble and respectful gentleman,” Connelly-Freund

said. “He always competes with class. He never yells negative things

to the other team.”

“First of all you have academics, that should be your first

priority,” Joyce said. “If you’re on a team, whether it’s a

basketball team or volleyball team or any team sport, you’ve got to

be committed to that team.”

Joyce’s commitment to Sage Hill has positioned the Lightning into

a prime spot to make a deep run into the postseason.

“Kevin is really self-motivated and I don’t have to set goals for

him,” Connelly-Freund said. “Right now our team is in a great spot

for the playoffs because everyone is healthy and playing so well.”

Joyce acknowledged that winning in the playoffs would be a nice

finish to his high school career.

“That’s what sports is all about,” he said. “It’s about winning

and having fun at the same time. If we work hard and have the right

mental focus I think we can go far.”