Dvorak contributes to championship

Bryce Dvorak of Laguna Beach played a key role for the 14 Blue team from Balboa Bay Volleyball Club of Costa Mesa which captured the 14 Open division title at the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships.

Dvorak, 14, a setter who will enter his freshman year at Laguna Beach High in the fall, co-captained the 14 Blue team to the national title in Dallas. His play helped 14 Blue, coached by Patrick Eaton, sweep Southern California Volleyball Club 14 Quiksilver of Redondo Beach, 25-18, 25-14, in the July 3 gold-medal match.

Dvorak had five kills, one block and four aces in the title match.

The 14 Blue team went 11-0 en route to the championship, winning nine matches by sweep (2-0) and dropped only two sets. The squad came from a set down in their opening and semifinal matches to win both of those matches in three sets.

Thirty-two 14 Open division teams in the country reached the Junior Olympics national tournament by qualifying through tournament play held throughout the year.

Balboa Bay Volleyball Club was dominant at the national tournament, getting gold-medal-winning performances from its 18 Blue (Open division), 17 Blue (Open), 15 Blue (Open), 14 Blue (Open) and 14 White (Club) teams. The 17 Blue team (Club division) won bronze.

Water Polo

Laguna Beach teams and athletes will compete at the 2016 USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics, which will be held in two sessions later this month in Northern California.

Session 1 (12, 14, 16, 18 Boys, 10-under Girls) will run July 23-26, and Session 2 (12, 14, 16, 18 Girls, 10-U Mixed) is July 28-31.