PREP ROUNDUP : Esperanza Earns First--and Last?--Volleyball Title

With its future in question, the Esperanza High School volleyball team celebrated its third anniversary with a first--an Empire League title.

Jason Galeener came off the bench and had 10 kills as Esperanza, third-ranked in Orange County, swept Foothill, 15-6, 15-4, 15-5, in the league final at Esperanza.

After finishing second the past two years, the Aztecs (16-0, 8-0 in league) clinched their first league title.

It could be their last.

Proposed budget cuts by the Placentia Unified School District include eliminating the boys’ program. The board is expected to decide the program’s future later this month.

“The timing is great,” setter Chris Pitzak said. “I hope winning the league will help ensure that our program continues next year.”

Pitzak, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, had five kills and four aces, including three aces in the third game.

Brad Goldston had nine kills and two aces, and Mike Cunningham added seven kills and Ryan Delaney five for the Aztecs. Damian Kiritschenko had five kills to lead Foothill (10-6, 6-2).

Esperanza finished the regular season as the county’s only undefeated team. The Aztecs will probably be one of the top-seeded teams when the Southern Section 3-A championships start next week.

“We have a thing here with the league banners hanging from the rafters of the gym,” Esperanza Coach John Reid said. “We have quite a few girls’ volleyball banners, now it’s time to add one for the boys.”

Pitzak, pointing at several Southern Section championship banners hanging on the wall, said, “Now we want one of those.”