Two local scholastic boys volleyball teams have their eyes on the prize this spring ” a CIF title.
At The Bishop’s School, head coach Tod Mattox and the Knights finished 11-13 overall last season, 3-3 in the Coastal League. Bishop’s lost in the CIF quarterfinals to Tri-City.
Bishop’s returns a solid group led by captains Chandler Frost and Wheeler Hadden. Hadden was an All-League selection last season, and Mattox believes he will be a top player in the league this spring.
Other key contributors look to include middles David Stotelmyre and Marshall Anderson, along with back row specialists Peter Semmer and Trevor Sinclair.
“I think the league is pretty wide open ” all teams should be pretty good, but none will be great,” Mattox said. “We are excited for our shot. We are a pretty athletic group, and I have great expectations.”
At neighboring La Jolla High, the Vikings and head coach Dave Jones reached the CIF quarters last year after winning their opening-round match.
The Vikings return 13 players and all seven starters from last year’s team.
“We should be very solid and have decent depth this year,” Jones said. “We’ve got a couple of starters out with injuries already, but hopefully they’ll be back before we begin Western League play.”
According to Jones, this may likely be the most talented and athletic team that he’s had the opportunity to coach.
“When you add the guys’ competitive attitude and chemistry, we have the ingredients for a championship season,” Jones added.