The San Ramon Valley High School boys volleyball team achieved an amazing accomplishment with a “perfect” season, winning 36 straight games. The final victory over Foothill also crowned them as North Coast Champions for the second straight year.
Their last loss was in the Davis Tournament finals in 2004. That gives them an unbeaten streak of 59 matches.
“Many teams would have liked to be known as the team that knocked the Wolves out of the NCS playoffs and broke the winning streak,” said Coach Sean Stratton. “I kept the team focused on our skills and team unity and none of us really talked about a perfect season. The players on our team respect the game and all of the opponents, so that kept them motivated on our ultimate goal – to win the NCS.”
There were three matches that could have ruined the “perfect” season, he said. “The first was when we played Foothill on April 7. We went five games before we won the match. The other two matches were in the La Jolla tournament we played on April 1 and 2,” he said. “The teams were St. Augustine (22-25, 25-22, 15-8) and Rancho Bernardo (25-23, 14-25, 15-11). In each match the team showed their experience by not worrying about the other team.”
“I am not aware of any other volleyball team in high school having a perfect season,” said Stratton. “It is possible, but I am not sure. I did have a ‘perfect season’ with my club team Diablo Valley VBC. We won every tournament in Northern California. My Junior Varsity coach, Brian Whitaker, was on that team.”
Success of this magnitude is based on a lot of factors, Stratton said. “The work ethic for this team was amazing,” he explained. “Their respect for the game, for other teams, the coaches, made it a successful season. They have a passion for the game and they don’t dwell on trying to beat the other team. They focused on performing their best as a team.”
The team was made up of 13 stars, said Stratton. “Each player had their individual roles and fit into our team perfectly. This team was unique because the players got along, and hung out together outside of volleyball,” he said.
“Mark Bauhs was the East Bay Athletic League most valuable player, Mason Cole, Chris Bogart, David Woodland and Peter Manguiat made the all-league team, and Spencer Washom was named Honorable mention. I am trying to convince David Woodland to try out for BYU. Manguiat will play at Cal Baptist and Bogart will be playing at Santa Barbara College next year. Mark, Mason, and Spencer are all juniors and will work to extend the winning streak in 2006. They all have the talent to play at Division I schools.”
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Monte Vista boys varsity lacrosse team won its second straight North Coast Championship. After beating University High from San Francisco, head coach Adam Lechner and assistant Tom Bailey shaved their heads Mohawk-style as promised to the players. Whatever works!
