Scorpions motivated for a return to the top of PVL

From the Camarillo Acorn:

Boys’ volleyball team has a bad taste in its mouth from last season

By Eliav Appelbaum

eliav@theacorn.com

THROW YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR—Camarillo High’s Garrett Carney, center, and Danny Reilly leap to block a shot during the school’s alumni game Wednesday evening. With a talented roster, the Scorpions look like title contenders in the Pacific View League.
WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers


The Scorpions are mad, and now they want to get even.



Camarillo High’s boys’ volleyball team had placed first or second in league for 10 straight seasons—until last year, when the Scorpions finished third to Oxnard and Rio Mesa in the Pacific View League standings.



“I didn’t like it,” Camarillo head coach Rob Vandermay said after practice on Monday.



Vandermay does like the Scorpions’ chances to make a run at a PVL championship with this year’s squad. Camarillo entered this week 7-2 overall.



“At least three teams will compete for the title, and that will make us all better for the playoffs,” the coach said. “It will be a challenge. It will not be easy.



“I like this group. They have a lot of fun, and I trust them and I respect them. They’re fun players and fun people.”



Nobody better exemplifies the Scorpions’ loosey-goosey nature than senior opposite Garrett Carney, a second-year varsity player nicknamed “Orange,” his favorite color.



Carney, 17, has been riding BMX race bikes since he was 3. One time he ate 1½ pounds of hamburger meat at an F. McLintocks restaurant in San Luis Obispo for a free T-shirt.



“He marches to a beat of a different drummer,” Vandermay said. “His teammates accept him for who he is and like him for that.”



Carney isn’t just about fun. He’s out to win, too.



“I want to win a league title and go far in the CIF playoffs,” the senior said. “We have fun at practice, but we’re serious at the same time.”



Jesse Flitt, a setter and team captain, has improved his court awareness and improved his passing. The junior, who played basketball his first two years at ACHS, distributes the ball to all three hitters along the front row, and keeps defenses on edge.



“We have great team unity,” said Flitt, who also enjoys surfing. “We’re good defensively, and we can run a quick offense.”



Senior Connor Hoybjerg, an outside hitter, is the other captain. Hoybjerg leaps high to hammer the ball down for spikes.



The captain said he wants the Scorpions to improve their passing and play with more energy.



“When we play well, we’re pumped up,” said Hoybjerg, who plans to study neuroscience at Brigham Young University.



“If we mess up or get down on ourselves—that hurts. We need to play with intensity all the time, regardless of the score.”



Jose Rojas is a defensive specialist who plays at a consistent level, Vandermay said. Rojas can also play libero.



The junior said Camarillo communicates well on the court, but there are always elements to improve.



“We’re struggling with serving,” said Rojas, who was one of only a handful of varsity players working out after Monday’s practice ended.



“We need to stay consistent and put points on the board.”



Other Scorpions are also playing well.



Junior outside hitter Christian Vanouwerkerk has improved his strength and is another tall hitter who can smack the ball hard.



Middle blocker Danny Reilly, a 6-foot-6 junior, can intimidate opponents with his size and athleticism.



“When he gets a good set, it’s like thunder comes down hard,” Vandermay said of Reilly.



Shaun York and J.T. McGinley add depth at middle blocker. York is a solid all-around player who can jump high but needs to work on the mental aspect of the game.



McGinley, the only sophomore on the team, hits hard and jumps high. McGinley’s still honing his blocking skills.



David Florick uses his lefthanded shot at opposite. Defensive specialist Pace Martin’s passing is improving.



The Scorpions hosted their first Cam Classic, an 18-team tournament, on March 6.



Vandermay, now in his 14th season leading the boys, has won five league titles and a CIF-Southern Section Division 3 championship in 2003.



“We have a solid six players on the court at all times,” the coach said. “We have a solid front line and back line. This year, the chemistry is great. It makes coaching fun.”

http://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/news/2010-03-19/Sports/Scorpions_motivated_for_a_return_to_the_top_of_PVL.html