Prep Boys Volleyball: Broncos boast one of section’s top tandems
The Poway High and Rancho Bernardo boys volleyball teams will likely be battling for a spot in the middle of the standings in the Palomar League.
Del Norte lost a few key players from last year’s San Diego Section Division I runner-up finish and have a new coach, but should be able to finish near the top of the standings in the Avocado West League.
Here is a closer look at each of the local teams:
Poway
Coach: Charlie Jackson, 13th year
2014 Record: 4-19
2015 Division: I
Key players: OH, Taylor Myers, Sr.; L, Ryan Metz, Sr.; S, Scott Hering, Sr.; Opp., Matt Beeler, Sr.; L, Ryan Coughlin, Fr.
Outlook: The Titans won just four matches all of last season, but have already topped that with seven wins entering this week.
Poway boasts a strong defense and hopes to develop the offense as the season moves along.
Metz, a UC Santa Cruz signee, is a big piece of the defense. He has solid ball control and great passing out of the back.
Poway hopes to be able to frustrate teams with its defensive effort while the offense continues to get better.
The Palomar League is always tough with powers Torrey Pines and Westview in the mix. This year will be no different. Expect the Titans to be fighting for a spot in the middle of the pack.
Rancho Bernardo
Coach: Jamie Boyle, 6th year
2014 Record: 13-16
2015 Division: I
Key players: OH, Brandon Rattray, Sr.; S, Brendan McGeeney, Jr.; MB, Jonah Kay, Sr.; L, Yasushi Tsuyama, Sr.; OH, Tommy Winship, Jr.; RS, Garrett Yocum, Sr.
Outlook: The Broncos return both of their kill leaders from last season in Hawaii-bound Rattray and UCLA-bound Kay.
The duo is one of the top tandems in the section and should help the Broncos compete at a high level this season.
Returning setter McGeeney, who had 725 assists last year, will run the offense once again.
“I would say our offense is our strongest point out of everything,” Boyle said.
Rancho Bernardo entered this week 9-9 and was slated to open Palomar League play with Torrey Pines Wednesday.
The Broncos finished fifth in Palomar League play last season and is likely eying another middle-of-the-pack finish with powers Westview, Torrey Pines and Mt. Carmel being the favorites.
Del Norte
Coach: Ashton O’Halloran, 1st year
2014 Record: 21-14
2015 Division: I
Key players: S, Jared Inman, Sr.; MH, Conor Lloyd, Sr.; OH, Nathan Whatcott, Sr.; OH, Matt Casadona, Sr.
Outlook: Del Norte is coming off a 21-14 season, which featured a runner-up finish in the San Diego Section Division I playoffs.
This year has started off slow, as the Nighthawks did not hire O’Halloran until a few weeks ago.
Del Norte also lost a few of its stars to graduation and are learning to fill the voids.
“It is early, but I think we will be a defensive team,” O’Halloran said. “We are not the biggest team so we will work on outlasting people and wearing them down.”
Lloyd should lead the way on offense, as he was third on the team in kills last season with 140. Serving it up will be Inman, who had 275 assists last season.
Del Norte is making its debut in the Avocado West League, where La Costa Canyon is the favorite.
“Our goal is to win league,” O’Halloran said.