Win or lose, Rio Mesa boys' volleyball team remains positive
Spartans continue to improve
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers A PIECE OF THE ACTION- Rio Mesa High's Randall Holt, right, attempts to get the ball over a pair of Ventura defenders during a match last week at RMHS. Spartan players say the playoffs are possible.

Last weekend at home, the Rio Mesa High boys' volleyball team was blown out by Ventura three games to none. If it wasn't for the scoreboard, however, fans may have had a tough time telling which team was winning and which one was losing.

No matter if they gained a point or gave one up, the Spartans remained energetic throughout the contest and frequently complimented each other on their play.

Although RMHS lost in three straight, first-year head coach Jeff Holloway was impressed.

"That was the best volleyball we've played all year," Holloway said. "Ventura is a good team in a very tough Channel League, and I thought we had hung right with them.

"We have the potential to be very good. It's a long road, and everything isn't fixed yet, but tonight was a big step for us in the right direction even though the score doesn't show it," the coach said.

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers THE SETUP- Rio Mesa High's Eric Arroyo prepares to bump the ball to a teammate.

Senior libero Eric Arroyo, who had 15 kills against Ventura, was also impressed with the Spartans' play during the loss.

"I take this as a moral victory," Arroyo said. "We did a better job communicating with each other against a good team."

When Rio Mesa (3-4) begins Pacific View League play Tuesday at home against Pacifica High, it will be fielding a very young and inexperienced team. The Spartans have only three returnees and two seniors. Despite the team's youth, Arroyo believes Rio Mesa can compete in the PVL.

"I definitely believe we are going to make the playoffs," Arroyo said. "We have a new team, but most of us have known each other for a while off the court. I'm expecting big things in my senior year, at least a secondplace finish in league."

Although the Spartans' chemistry is now flourishing, the team was going in separate directions earlier in the year.

"It seemed we had a lot of individuals that wanted to play on their own," Arroyo said. "We had a lot of bad times in practice because of it.

"Finally, after the Santa Barbara Tournament, the team seemed to come together. We noticed in practice that we did better when we were communicating more and helping each other."

Holloway is glad RMHS is finally working as a cohesive unit.

"Volleyball is supposed to be fun; you're supposed to have a good time while competing," Holloway said. "We started to work better as a team in practice, and I think that reminded some players how fun this game is."

Junior Justin Hafen said making the postseason is now a realistic goal, but he believes the team could be even better next season.

"We have a lot of potential," Hafen said. "We've already grown so much this year as players. It's scary to think how good we'll be a year from now."

Aside from Hafen and Arroyo, Nick Tasker, Zech Burkhardt and Kody Scherbarth have contributed for the Spartans.

The rest of the RMHS roster includes Max Bunker, Steven Speakman, Gus Gomez, Arturo Padilla and Randall Holt.