Camarillo looking to repeat
Boys' volleyball team takes aim at PVL championship
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers STILL ON TOP- Camarillo senior Kurtis Gunther hits a serve during Tuesday's Pacific View League victory over Hueneme.

A year after winning the Pacific View League championship, the boys' volleyball team at Camarillo High is ready to make another run at the title.

Last season the Scorpions didn't lose a game until bowing out in the second round of the CIF -Southern Section Division III playoffs to San Gabriel High. This year ACHS will look to go even further in the playoffs.

Although the Scorpions have lost many players from last year, including UCLA freshman Jesse Tupac, the team has gotten off to a fast start. ACHS has won its first three league games, including wins over Rio Mesa and Hueneme at home this past week.

"I like what I have seen from this team so far," Camarillo head coach Rob Vandermay said. "We have begun to overcome some of our weaknesses we had at the start of the year. We are getting better at passing, defense and running some of our trick-combo plays."

Although Vandermay said the teams to beat this year in the Pacific View League should be Oxnard and Rio Mesa, the Scorpions still had to take care of business Tuesday night against Hueneme. ACHS had no problems with the Vikings, winning in three games by scores of 25-18, 25-10 and 25-17.

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers A SET AND A KILL- Above, Camarillo's Trevor Taggesell, right, sets the ball for Kyle Cossey during Tuesday night's home match vs. Hueneme. Chris Carlson, below left, drives a spike past a Hueneme defender. Tuesday's win was Camarillo's third in league.

"One of the things I think this team has to do better is not play down to the level of the teams we should beat easily," senior Kurtis Gunther said. "I think we did a good job of that today against Hueneme."

Gunther, who will head to San Diego State this fall to play football, should be a huge factor for the Scorpions this year.

"Kurtis is an intimidating factor at the net," Vandermay said. "He has a large arm span so he takes up a lot of space there. He always puts the ball down with a lot of thunder, and he does a good job of helping build the team's momentum in games.

"This season he's playing with more passion, and the energy he is playing with is more positive this year than last year."

Another player contributing to Camarillo's winning ways is junior Chris Carlson. Carlson has started for the Scorpions his first three years, and, assuming he plays his senior year in 2008, he will become the first player in school history to start all four years.

"I'm pretty proud of the fact that I could be the first player to start all four years," Carlson said. "My first year I didn't think I would make varsity, but the coach had me come out to practice with the team one of the first days, and that's when I realized that, yeah, I could play with these guys."

Vandermay has been impressed with the improvement of Carlson's game over the last three years.

"He came into the high school level with a lot of club experience, so he was already a pretty good player," Vandermay said. "He's one of the smartest players on the court, and he reads blocks and hits very well. He is an outstanding all-around player."

Although Gunther and Carlson are returnees, most of the Scorpions are newcomers. For ACHS to win a league title again, the two captains said many of the other players would have to step up their games.

"We lost about eight players from last year's team, and our unity isn't quite as good this year, although we have had some newcomers like Cameron Torti step up for us. Cameron has done a great job at blocking," Gunther said.

"Justin Colquitt has also done a good job setting for us. These players stepping up have really helped us because we have a few of our other guys out because of grades."

Another newcomer that has contributed to Camarillo has been junior Trevor Taggesell.

"Trevor's setting skills have really improved. I wouldn't say that he's been a surprise, but his development has been very pleasant to watch," Vandermay said.

Vandermay said that the Pacific View League is as tough this year as it's been any year in the past, and in order for ACHS to repeat, the team will have to improve its serving.

"Our serving has to get better," Vandermay said. "It's frustrating because we will get a side out and then give it right back because of our serving. It's also frustrating because it's one of the easiest things to teach players how to do."

Other players on Camarillo looking to help win a title are junior Jordan Crook and seniors Derek Brangham, Kyle Cossey, Steve Kelly, Andrew Felder and Brian Rose.