Boys’ Volleyball Preview: Flintridge Prep aiming for more league, playoff success

With the current postseason success of the Flintridge Prep boys’ basketball and soccer teams, it’s no wonder Flintridge Prep boys’ volleyball Coach Sean Beattie hasn’t been able to have his team in the gymnasium preparing for the upcoming season.

It might be some time before the Rebels will have their full compliment of players on the court looking to defend their Prep League championship with a eye on making another deep playoff run in CIF Southern Section Division IV.

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The basketball team advanced to the Division V-AA championship game and will be invited to participate in the CIF State Tournament. Outside, the upstart soccer team reached the Division VI semifinals. All told, Beattie is missing seven players — five with basketball and two with soccer.

“I haven’t seen 70% of my team yet,” said Beattie, whose team is ranked fourth in the division preseason poll. “I’m excited to see the basketball and soccer teams doing so well and want them to keep going.

“At the same time, I’ll be waiting for those seven guys with open arms. I’ve had a lot of those guys stick their heads in the gym to see how we are progressing since we only have four varsity players at the moment practicing. It’s definitely strange.”

When the Rebels return to full strength, they’ll look to win a fourth straight league championship. Flintridge Prep has won two consecutive league crowns outright.

Flintridge Prep will again turn to senior outside hitter Dante Fregoso, the two-time reigning All-Area Boys’ Volleyball Player of the Year. Fregoso, who is on the basketball team, finished last season with a school-record 551 kills and contributed 318 digs, 56 aces and 44 blocks en route to being tabbed the league’s most valuable player and an All-CIF first-teamer.

“I think Dante will have another great season,” Beattie said. “He’s just gotten better each year.

“Once we have our pieces in place, we can determine where we will be playing people. There’s so much up in the air right now and we might have to bring up some of our [junior varsity] players to start the season at the varsity level. When we get everybody back, I don’t see any reason why we can’t have another excellent season.

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While Beattie is awaiting the return of plenty of talent, he has plenty of returning talent in senior Aldridge Khin, senior Michael Pearson, junior Jake Althouse, senior Miles Johnson and some youth in the addition of freshman AJ Nicassio.

Crescenta Valley was the other area team to qualify for the playoffs last season. Veteran coach John Nelson led the Falcons to a second-place finish in the Pacific League and an appearance in the Division II playoffs.

Crescenta Valley will have six seniors, seven juniors and one sophomore on board in its quest to challenge for the league championship. The Falcons will be anchored by senior outside hitter Evan Nelson, senior Blake Omartian, senior setter Paul Kim, junior middle blocker Brett Dunkin and junior outside hitter Jonathan Lee.

“Last year, we were real senior-heavy,” Nelson said. “We are sort of young on the floor right now, in part, because we have some people who are battling injuries.

“We’ve been putting in some long practices to keep getting better and they are learning. With league, Burroughs won it last year and they will be phenomenal again. After that, I don’t know much about the rest of our league.”

St. Francis will have several key returners in the fold who will try to return the Golden Knights to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Veteran St. Francis Coach Mark Frazee said it’s possible the Golden Knights can vie for a playoff berth while competing in the tough Mission League that includes powerhouse Loyola and Alemany.

“We do have quite a bit of experience,” Frazee said. “I think we will also be a lot stronger defensively and that will give our guys some more confidence.

“If we can put things together and stay healthy, then we have a shot at making the playoffs.”

St. Francis will have a lineup that includes senior setter/outside hitter David Thompson, senior libero Carl D’Aguiar, junior outside hitter Sean Stephen, sophomore middle blocker Michael Damansky and freshman setter Joseph Thompson.

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David Thompson received All-Area second team honors last season after posting 414 assists and 115 digs.

In its first season since its campus was moved to Montrose from the San Gabriel Valley, St. Monica will field a seven-player squad under coach Marco Barman. The Crusaders, who compete in the International League, didn’t make the playoffs last season.

Junior outside hitter Michael Grumbine and sophomore Peter Ford will be expected to serve as catalysts for the Crusaders.

“Those two will be big keys,” Barman said. “Right now, we barely have enough players to form a team.

“We have some players who have never played before. They are learning the ropes and things will come together. Potentially, we can challenge for the playoffs.”

Glendale Adventist Academy will have a nice group in place to provide some balance. The Cougars will turn to junior middle blocker Christian Knipschild, junior libero Nolan Allinsod, junior setter Justin Sapiago and sophomore Joshua Young.

“We lost some key guys, but we have a good group of returners,” said Glendale Adventist Coach Chris Lindstadt of the Cougars, who went 4-11 last season and tied for fifth in the Liberty League. “We also have some new guys we hope can step up.

“It’s been a long time since our guys have played, so it will be interesting to see how quickly they pick up things.”

Hoover, which finished fifth in the Pacific League last season, will also have a small team. Coach Gabby Gallardo will have eight players, including six seniors.

The Tornadoes will bring back senior outside hitters Brandon Knight and Milo Galang and senior setter Norton Yongpiwonj. Knights finished with 233 kills, 194 digs and 38 blocks to receive an all-league second-team nod a season ago.

“Brandon will be our key player and he does so many things well,” Gallardo said. “We might not have a lot of players, but we’re excited about the season. It’s my third year with the team and they are buying into what we are teaching.”

At Glendale, the Nitros and coach Ta’ase Mose will look to rebound from a sixth-place finish in the Pacific League. Glendale is likely to bring back senior outside hitter Hence King, who picked up all-league second-team honors last season.

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Charles Rich, charles.rich@latimes.com

Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich