2018 Boys Volleyball Capsules
(as submitted by coaches)
ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Michael Clarke, first season
2017 record: 30-9 (8-2 Northwest/first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (one)
Top players: MB Jake Reid (Sr.), OPP Jaylen Harris (Jr.), LIB Tyler Worthington (Jr.), OH Chad Decker (Jr.)
Outlook: Clarke takes over a team that won the Northwest League title last season.
Only one starter returns from that squad, though.
“I am excited to have these young men with me for my first year as head coach,” Clarke said. “We have a young team. We will be competitive in our region and look to return to the postseason.”
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BASIC
Head coach: Dennis Muaina, ninth season
2017 record: 11-11 (2-8 Southeast/fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (five)
Top players: OH Trevor Robbins (Sr.), MB Dallas Green (Sr.), OPP Bryson Callister (Sr.), OH Dylan Callister (Sr.), MB Lance Brand (Sr.), MB Skylar Freitas (Sr.), LIB C.J. Perkins (Sr.)
Outlook: Despite being in a very competitive league, the Wolves still managed to post a .500 record last season and bring back five starters from that team.
“We’re looking to have a great year,” Muaina said.
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BISHOP GORMAN
Head coach: Kyle Krauss, sixth season
2017 record: 38-7 (12-0 Southwest/first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (three)
Top players: S/OPP Trevor Papock (Sr.), MB Daniel Johnson (Sr.), LIB Julian Uy (Sr.)
Outlook: Papock dished out 1,074 assists last season, but the Gaels’ two biggest hitters graduated, and the senior will need to help the newer weapons improve.
Papock also had 46 aces, 76 kills, 216 digs and 36 blocks last year. Johnson (75 kills, 101 blocks) returns at the net, and Uy (458 digs, 25 aces) is back to anchor the defense.
“I look for this team to grow a lot from the beginning to the end of the season,” Krauss said. “My only expectations are that they step in the gym every day ready to play hard and learn every day.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can accomplish.”
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BONANZA
Head coach: Jamie Charles, fifth season
2017 record: 8-17 (4-8 Southwest/fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (five)
Top players: OPP Victor Fajardo (Sr.), S James Mead (Sr.), MB Kadin Warner (Jr.), OH Mark Thuet (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bengals return five starters from last year’s squad and hope to contend for a playoff spot.
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CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Cheryl Dameron, eighth season
2017 record: 2-17 (1-7 Northeast/fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (zero)
Top players: S Sho Hampton (Jr.), MB Sirron White (Sr.), OH Curtiss Vaimagalo (So.), MB Alonso Casillas (Jr.)
Outlook: The Pioneers will have an all new starting lineup this season and plenty of new faces overall.
The team is hoping to contend for a playoff spot.
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CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Erik Davis, second season
2017 record: 32-11 (7-3 Northwest/third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (three)
Top players: MB Teon Taylor (Sr.), OH Justin Madsen (Jr.), OPP Farries Gardner (Sr.), OH Jake Truman (Sr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs came within a set of advancing to the Class 4A state championship match last year and bring back three starters.
Gardner (260 kills, 49 blocks, 31 aces) was a first-team All-Southern Nevada honoree last year and returns to lead the offense along with Madsen (195 kills, 23 aces, 168 digs, 27 blocks), Taylor (140 kills, 73 blocks) and Truman (43 kills, 18 blocks, 13 aces).
“We return a solid core from last year’s team,” Davis said. “We are excited to put our product back on the floor again as we have a nice mix of strong senior leadership and young talent. The expectation, as always, is to get better every day, work harder than our competition, maximize the ceiling of each athlete, and compete for a state championship.”
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CHAPARRAL
Head coach: Keala Enomoto, third season
2017 record: 4-14 (3-11 3A Southern/seventh)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (four)
Top players: OH Juan Benitez (Sr.), MB Chris Chavarria (Jr.), S Jacob Frisch (Sr.), DS William Todd (Sr.)
Outlook: The Cowboys bring back four starters from last year’s squad.
“We are striving to gain more knowledge of the game and continue growing as a team,” Enomoto said.
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CHEYENNE
Head coach: John Armstrong, sixth season
2017 record: 19-16 (12-2 3A Southern/second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (five)
Top players: S Brian Orellana, OH/MH Anthony Walker, DS Ethan Cruz
Outlook: The Desert Shields bring back five starters from a team that finished as the Class 3A runner-up last season.
“If we stay focused and play to our potential, then we are capable of making it as far, if not farther, than we did last season,” Armstrong said.
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: Sopheap Khuon, second season
2017 record: 20-16 (2-8 Northwest/fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (four)
Top players: OH Fred Tito, OH Jameson Valencia, MB Nick Urena, LIB Eric Lytle, DS Johnathan Mika
Outlook: The Spartans won 20 matches last year, but were in arguably the toughest league in the state and finished fifth.
With four starters back, they’re hoping to qualify for the postseason.
“Our goals include ensuring that students work hard and play hard in the classroom and on the court,” Khuon said. “We are looking to make playoffs for the first time since 2009 by focusing on becoming scrappy defensively and running a quick-tempo offense.”
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CLARK
Head coach: Darcy Hill, first season
2017 record: 2-26 (1-11 Southwest/sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (four)
Outlook: Hill takes over a team that struggled to be competitive in the Southwest League last year.
With four starters back, the Chargers should be in position for better results.
“Our unified team goal is to make it to playoffs this year,” Hill said.
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CORONADO
Head coach: Matt Johnson, ninth season
2017 record: 27-16 (10-0 Southeast/first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (three)
Top players: MB/OH Ben Bloss (Sr.), S Matt Wilson (Sr.), LIB Andrew Corrales (Jr.)
Outlook: Last year’s Sunrise Region runners-up return seven lettermen, but have some big weapons to replace.
“We lost 91 percent of our offense to graduation last year,” Johnson said. “This year’s team has the talent to compete at a championship level, but must put in the work to realize that talent.”
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DEL SOL
Head coach: Walter Tum, third season
2017 record: 10-18 (7-7 3A Southern/fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eleven (five)
Top players: OH/MB Alejandro Marin (Jr.), MH/OH David Anderson (Jr.), OPP/MB Tyrell Hampton (Jr.), S/OPP Alan Ramos (Jr.)
Outlook: Ramos was a first-team Class 3A all-state selection last year and is one of five returning starters for the Dragons.
“We have the entire team returning but for two graduates,” Tum said. “The addition of opposite and middle blocker Tyrell Hampton brings a new dimension to our team systems.
“Overall I am looking for a strong showing this season from the team. The team is looking to push the league and improve from last season’s state tournament appearance.”
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DESERT OASIS
Head coach: Nick Porter, third season
2017 record: 10-17 (6-6 Southwest/fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (three)
Top players: MB Liam Morrissey (Jr.), OH/S Josh Bastin (So.), OH Jacob Jaffe (Sr.), LIB Tyler Sadama (Sr.)
Outlook: The Diamondbacks will have a new look this season.
“We graduated 10 seniors last year, so we’ve got a very new lineup with some additions from our JV team that was very competitive,” Porter said. “We’ll be looking to grow and develop this year while maintaining competitiveness.”
Morrissey had a team-best 71 blocks last season. Sadama, the younger brother of triplets who graduated last season, added 22 aces and 85 digs.
“The last of the Sadama family (Tyler) will be transitioning from setting last year and stepping in as libero to hold down the defensive efforts and follow up after his brother Bryson,” Porter said. “In the front row we have some decent height and athleticism so we’re hoping to be tough at the net defensively this season.
“We have some exciting prospects, but we go into this season knowing very well that we are in a tough division and we’re going to have to earn every win. We’re very capable of being a potential playoff candidate, and hoping to break past the first round this year and see how far we can go.”
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DURANGO
Head coach: Nicole Adarme, fourth season
2017 record: 22-17 (10-2 Southwest/second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (four)
Top players: OH Tai Foster (Sr.), LIB Braiten Foster (Jr.), MH/OPP Tau Fotu (Jr.), S/OPP Tim Kedrowski (Jr.)
Outlook: Tai Foster (140 kills, 31 blocks, 37 aces, 72 digs), Braiten Foster (273 digs, 25 aces), Kedrowski (137 kills, 35 blocks, 123 digs, 20 aces) and Fotu (102 kills, 24 blocks) are among six returnees for the Trailblazers.
“While Durango is young this year with only four seniors, the focus in the gym and work ethic will lead the team to success,” Adarme said. “The returners are eager to surpass their achievements from last year and have led newcomers in and out of the gym.
“Expectations/goals are to make it to second round of playoffs and continue in the fight for a possibility at state. After last year’s upset in first round of playoffs, ther returners refuse to let up against their opponents.”
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FOOTHILL
Head coach: Lewis Miranda, second season
2017 record: 17-20 (6-4 Southeast/third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (six)
Top players: LIB Troy Bell (Sr.), S Caleb Stearman (Jr.), OH Tanner Lester (Sr.), OH Richard Reid (Sr.)
Outlook: Stearman (99 kills, 641 assists, 73 blocks, 37 aces, 203 digs), Reid (213 kills, 114 digs), Lester (179 kills, 116 digs) and Bell (420 digs, 34 aces) lead a group of nine returning lettermen for the Falcons.
“Foothill is bringing back a core group of boys who are ready to get back to the postseason and build on their success from last year,” Miranda said.
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GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Emily Baracco, sixth season
2017 record: 23-13 (8-2 Southeast/second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (two)
Top players: MB Tanner Webb (Sr.), S/OH Zachary Fedarko (Sr.)
Outlook: Webb (139 kills, 66 blocks) and Fedarko (245 digs, 60 kills, 43 aces) are two of five returning lettermen for the Gators.
“Green Valley is a young, energetic team looking to develop individually and as a program,” Baracco said. “We’re expecting to be competitive and grow as the season progresses.”
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LAS VEGAS
Head coach: Justin Graham, fourth season
2017 record: 22-9 (8-0 Northeast/first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (one)
Top players: S/OPP Shaun Kampshoff (Sr.), OH Jorge Hernandez (Sr.), MH/OH Rodolfo Boteo (Sr.)
Outlook: Kampshoff (515 assists, 351 kills, 214 digs, 51 blocks, 20 aces) was one of the most well-rounded weapons in the state last year and was a first-team all-state selection.
But he’s the only returning starter for the defending Sunrise Region champions.
Hernandez (25 kills, 26 digs) and Boteo (12 kills) are among those who will see increased playing time and hope to have success.
“The Wildcats will be looking to a lot of new faces to try and defend last year’s Sunrise Region championship,” Graham said. “With only one returning starter and two returning backups, we have a lot of work ahead of us to try and compete with the best teams in the city again this May, but this group is hungry for that challenge.”
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LIBERTY
Head coach: Nua Agatonu, first season
2017 record: 8-22 (0-10 Southeast/sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (one)
Top players: OH Tanner Billiu, OH Tyler Chavez, OH/MB Troy Fautanu, S Martin Velasco
Outlook: Agatonu takes over a team that is hungry for success, though doesn’t have a ton of varsity experience.
“The Patriots return five players with only one senior on this year’s roster,” Agatonu said. “Our program is in a rebuilding/reorganizing stage. With the addition of last year’s lower levels, we feel better prepared to face our upcoming challenges this season.
“We’re very excited to see how we do, hopefully we make our school proud.”
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MOJAVE
Head coach: John Engel, second season
2017 record: 25-11 (14-0 3A Southern/first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (three)
Top players: OH Joseph Silva (Sr.), OH Tredall Blanchard-Davis (So.), S Michael Jones (Sr.), OPP Daronde McKinney (Sr.)
Outlook: The winners of four consecutive state titles, the Rattlers return three starters in their quest for another Class 3A crown.
Silva (125 kills, 43 aces), Blanchard-Davis (95 kills, 32 aces) and McKinney (82 kills) give Jones plenty of options to set.
“Mojave returns many key contributors from the 2017 state championship team,” Engel said. “We have a different mindset this year and will be much better defensively.
“I like how our team battles each day in practice, and I’m excited to see how far we can go this season.”
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PALO VERDE
Head coach: Phil Clarke, 12th season
2017 record: 30-9 (7-3 Northwest/second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Three (one)
Top players: OH Stephen Banks (Sr.), OH Jared Brady (Jr.)
Outlook: Banks, who racked up 248 kills last season, is the only starter back from a team that won its second state title in three seasons last year.
“We have some really big shoes to fill and a lot of people to replace from a senior loaded team last year,” Clarke said. “Stephen is the only starter returning, and we look to his experience and leadership to help lead this new, young group.
“It’s a hard-working and motivated group of guys, and we look to continue to be very competitive in a tough league.”
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RANCHO
Head coach: Steve Cuevas, first season
2017 record: 12-17 (6-2 Northeast/second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Three (three)
Top players: MB Brennan Berti (Sr.), S Jesus Gonzalez (Sr.), OPP Kenny Oak (Sr.)
Outlook: The Rams return three starters from last year’s squad.
“We hope to finish top four in our division,” Cuevas said.
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SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Luke Wilson, second season
2017 record: 24-12 (6-4 Northwest/fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (five)
Top players: OH Tanner Franklin (Sr.), OPP Derek Robnett (Sr.), OH Jordan Miller (Sr.), LIB Travis Hoadley (Sr.), MB Zach Fedinec (Sr.)
Outlook: Stuck in a league with three 30-win teams last year, the Mustangs still managed a strong 24-12 record. Five starters and 10 lettermen are back from that team and have Shadow Ridge thinking big.
Franklin (359 kills) was a second-team all-state selection. Robnett (331 kills) and Miller (217 kills) also return on the front row. Hoadley (209 digs) and Fedinec (17 blocks) return to help the defense.
“Our expectation is to win region and compete for the state championship,” Wilson said.
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SIERRA VISTA
Head coach: Camille McComas, 17th season
2017 record: 18-17 (8-4 Southwest/third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (two)
Top players: OH/OPP Frank Hines (Sr.), OH/OPP Croix Reganit (So.), LIB/DS Trent Morss (Sr.)
Outlook: The Mountain Lions return only two starters from a team that finished third in the Southwest League.
“The Lions are young in court experience, yet hardworking and willing to put in the time to get the touches to compete,” McComas said. “They are self-motivated and have a true passion for the game.
“We look forward to seeing how the fruits of our effort unfold in the postseason.”
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SILVERADO
Head coach: Eric Drum
2017 record: 17-18 (4-6 Southeast/fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Three (one)
Top players: MB/OH Tyler Olson (Sr.)
Outlook: Olson had 141 kills and 67 blocks last season, but is the only returning starter for the Skyhawks, who will have young players in key spots.
“We are young, but we have a lot of potential, and we’re excited to see what we can accomplish this year,” Drum said.
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SKY POINTE
Head coach: Kristi Driscoll, first season
2017 record: First-year program (Class 3A Southern)
Top players: S Carson Driscoll (Sr.), OH Jaegen Driscoll (So.), OH Brayden Dorsey (Jr.)
Outlook: The Eagles begin their program this season, but do have a bit of experience.
Three of their players competed for Arbor View and one for Mojave last season.
“We have high expectations of a winning season, including a successful showing at playoffs,” Driscoll said.
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SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: Mike Agustin, first season
2017 record: 1-21 (1-11 Southwest/sixth)
Returning starters: One
Top players: OH Anthony Dodson (Sr.), OH/MH Michael Page (Sr.), OH/MH Mariano Saucedo (Jr.), MH Jakob Ropolio (Jr.), S Alan Quach (Sr.)
Outlook: Agustin takes over a program that is hungry for success.
“Spring Valley plans to be more competitive than last year,” Agustin said. “With a new head coach, four returning players and several junior varsity players moving up to varsity, we hope to build a solid program moving forward.”
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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
Head coach: Tanya Teague, fourth season
2017 record: 6-20 (5-9 3A Southern/sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (four)
Outlook: The Miners bring back four starters and are hoping to move into the top half of the Southern League this season.
“Every year, we just try to improve from previous years,” Teague said.
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TECH
Head coach: Pae Agae, fourth season
2017 record: 11-8 (10-4 3A Southern/third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Two (two)
Top players: OH/OPP Pierce Zaman (Sr.), OH/OPP James Pool (Sr.), MB Chandler Garrison (Jr.)
Outlook: The Roadrunners have some holes to fill as only two starters return from a team that advanced to the Class 3A semifinals.
“We are looking forward to a new season and hopefully making playoffs,” Agae said. “It’s a very young and inexperienced group, but they are willing to be competitive as the season goes on.”
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VALLEY
Head coach: Matt Porter, 15th season
2017 record: 9-23 (3-5 Northeast/third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (five)
Top players: OH Isaac Frazier (Sr.), LIB Trey Harp (Sr.), OH Anthony Palma (Sr.), S Mel Dinogan (Sr.)
Outlook: The Vikings bring back one of the more seasoned teams in the state.
“Our team is led by 10 seniors with plenty of experience,” Porter said. “We hope to use that experience to play competitive volleyball.”
Frazier earned All-Northeast League honors last season.
“He is expected to carry the offensive load, but will be provided ample support from Anthony Palma, Justice Thomas, Gary Thomas, and Turner Lawson,” Porter said. “Mel Dinogan is our returning setter who will lead our offense.”
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WESTERN
Head coach: Stephen Helm, first season
2017 record: 5-13 (5-9 3A Southern/fifth)
Top players: Zachary Flores, Julio Gamez, Jerome Scott
Outlook: Helm takes over a team that will have many new faces.
“While inexperienced, we have raw talent that is developing quickly,” Helm said. “We are excited to see what the season brings. We will rely on returning players to show our newbies the ropes.”
