Boys’ volleyball: Chatsworth gets physical in victory over Granada Hills

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At 6 feet 3 and 250 pounds, Thomas Franco enjoys smashing into running backs as Chatsworth’s all-league middle linebacker.

He’s a very good volleyball player, too. He used his superior strength to contribute eight kills Friday night to help the Chancellors knock off defending City Section champion Granada Hills, 25-14, 25-23, 25-20, in a match for first place in the West Valley League.

‘He’s a beast on that court,’ Chatsworth Coach Jonathan Sheriff said. Successful volleyball teams make sure they find top athletes, and Chatsworth (7-0, 5-0) has followed the formula to perfection by convincing Franco and former basketball player Cavanaugh Thompson to play volleyball.

The 6-2 Thompson, with terrific jumping ability, helped frustrate the Highlanders, forcing hitting errors as he got his arms above the net.

While Chatsworth has won seven City championships, Granada Hills (6-2, 4-1) has won the last two. Chatsworth used Friday’s match to make a statement that it deserves the role of favorite this year.

‘We have the potential to do very well in this league and City, and I think we did play close to our potential tonight,’ Sheriff said.

One of the most important players was the always dependable Andrew Trivino, who finished with a match-high nine kills and put Granada Hills on the defensive in the first game when his jump serves resulted in Chatsworth scoring seven consecutive points to open a 10-1 lead.

Trivino credits Franco’s presence in the middle for creating opportunities for him. ‘If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be getting single blockers,’ he said. ‘The middle always goes up for him and leaves me open.’

Granada Hills, which received eight kills from junior Jon Ben-Haim, struggled with its passing and receiving.

‘They exposed some of our weaknesses,’ Coach Tom Harp said. Harp pointed out that the Chancellors’ athleticism with Franco and Thompson can be decisive in City volleyball.

‘The name of the game is getting good athletes and teaching them the game,’ he said.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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