"I am so proud that Ramy was able to get an All-CIF award," said Bell-Jeff Coach Miguel Segura. "He was just a monster at the net for us and he stepped up and became a leader for us this season.
"The great thing about him is that he would get excited when we made a big play. And that excitement would get the other guys into it. He was a leader by example."
Garsdean was a driving force for Bell-Jeff (19-8), tallying 125 kills, 108 blocks and 150 digs.
Under Segura — a Bell-Jeff graduate and former all-league standout — Bell-Jeff advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. Unfortunately, it fell to eventual champion Viewpoint, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14. Viewpoint didn't drop a game in the playoffs.
In the early rounds of the playoffs, Bell-Jeff wanted to make some noise. What followed were wins against visiting Pasadena Poly (23-25, 25-22, 27-29, 25-14, 15-11) and host St. Margaret's (16-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21, 15-13).
"One of the reasons why we were successful in the playoffs is because Ramy stepped up his game," Segura said. "He really played well in the playoffs."
The Guards advanced to the playoffs for the second straight season after not making the postseason for seven years. In 2006, they fell in the first round.
Segura said he believes this is the first Bell-Jeff boys' volleyball athlete to earn All-CIF.
"I've never heard of another Bell-Jeff player getting All-CIF," Segura said. "I'm pretty sure this is a first for us.
"And one great thing about Ramy is that he was only a junior an he'll be back next year. We expect him to be even better next season."
Many of the teams the Guards played in the division had players who earned All-CIF accolades.
Senior middle blocker Matt Talamantes of Viewpoint was named the player of the year and Salesian — which won the Santa Fe League championship — had the coach of the year in Pedro Lopez. Five Viewpoint and Salesian players made All-CIF.
