The Guards have been able to be successful the past few years with the help of a solid feeder program from St. Robert Bellarmine School.
“We are able to get the players from St. Robert’s who already know the fundamentals of volleyball,” Bell-Jeff Coach Miguel Segura said. “That helps because they can jump right in when they get here, and we’re not having to teach the basics in the preseason.
“We have also gotten some players who play club ball as well.”
With the Guards leading the way, all four area coaches think their teams have the capability of making it to the postseason again this year.
With the season set to begin next week, here is a look at how the teams are shaping up.
BELLARMINE-JEFFERSON
The Guards (16-2) enjoyed a wealth of success in 2008, rolling to a Santa Fe League championship.
In the postseason, Bell-Jeff polished off Redlands Adventist Academy and Grace Brethren before falling in the quarterfinals to No. 4-seeded Big Bear, 25-13, 25-22, 20-15, 25-13.
Segura has been able to build a strong program that looks to continue its success this season.
“I think we have a good group of players this season,” he said. “They are starting to come together and I’m looking for us to have another successful year.”
It’s not surprising that Segura is optimistic; taking into consideration his best player was just a freshman a year ago.
Sophomore outside hitter Jocelyn Cervantes, a first-team all-league selection, paced the Guards with 153 kills (41% hitting percentage) to go along with 57 aces and 15 blocks.
“Jocelyn has grown some, and I think she’s 6 feet now,” Segura said. “She has been playing with her San Gabriel club team that went to the nationals, and she’s gotten even better than last season. We will rely on her a lot.”
