Boys volleyball: Emotional rescue

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - First-year coach Lewis Carletta, 22, brings youthful

exuberance to the Estancia High boys volleyball program.

But the former four-year junior varsity coach isn’t sure it’s catching on

with his players, thus far.

“If we have a glaring weakness, it’s a lack of enthusiasm,” said

Carletta, whose nine-player squad opened the season Wednesday at Cypress.

“Estancia hasn’t won much the last few years and the morale is a little

down. We really need a win to open the guys’ eyes a little. Maybe then,

they’ll realize how good they can be.”

Though idealistic, Carletta is realistic enough to know his program is

not quite ready to compete with perennial Pacific Coast League power

Laguna Beach, or PCL newcomer Corona del Mar.

“It would be nice to make the CIF playoffs, but it’s going to take a lot

of work. We’re shooting for nothing but the high bar.”

Mike Reynolds, entering his fourth varsity season, is the only returner

with substantial experience at this level. The 6-foot-4 senior will share

the setting duties.

Jabe Spence, a 5-11 junior returner, steps into a starting role and

Carletta said he will be their go-to guy at outside hitter.

Peter Hernandez, a 6-3 senior up from the JV, will start on the left

side.

Brett Hellmich, a 6-2 senior, is another varsity returner. He is the

team’s strongest hitter, but will fill in at setter, until junior Nick

Rycroft returns from a broken arm. Rycroft is expected back in about a

month, according to his coach.

Jeff Niles, a 6-2 junior, is another outside hitter, while Don Phan, a

5-11 junior, adds depth at setter, having triggered the JV attack last

season.

Dan Wotta is a 6-1 junior middle blocker, who was another part of the

junior nucleus Carletta said has played together the last two years.

“We do have a little chemistry going on,” Carletta said.

John Lindsay, a 5-10 junior outside hitter, adds to the familiarity

factor, which could help the Eagles come together to contend with Costa

Mesa and University for the league’s third guaranteed playoff berth.

Another plus is an expanded schedule. After taking over for Dale Hall,

who seldom played nonleague matches, Carletta has 14 matches, including

league. The Eagles will also play in three tournaments.

Estancia volleyball roster

1 Nick Rycroft Jr.

4 Dan Wotta Jr.

7 Don Phan Jr.

11 Jabe Spence Sr.

12 John Lindsay Jr.

13 Brett Hellmich Sr.

14 Mike Reynolds Sr.

20 Jeff Niles Jr.

22 Peter Hernandez Sr.

Coach: Lewis Carletta