Weygand’s Request for More Eligibility Is Denied by Section

Tanoa Weygand’s request to play volleyball at Newport Harbor High School was denied Tuesday by Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas.

Weygand, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter with outstanding power and leaping ability, played his senior season at Konawaena High in Kealakekua, Hawaii, last fall.

He moved to Newport Beach midway through his senior year and enrolled for the spring semester at Newport Harbor, which has the top-ranked volleyball team in the Southern Section 4-A. He sought an extra season of eligibility because of health reasons.

“There had been some concerns about volcanic eruptions in Hawaii, and how it affects Tanoa’s health (Weygand has asthma),” Thomas said.

But Thomas denied the eligibility request, citing a State CIF rule that limits participation in a sport to one season per school year. The Hawaii boys’ volleyball season is in the fall; California’s is in the spring.

“His eligibility expired after he played in Hawaii last fall,” Thomas said.

Weygand grew up in Newport Beach and attended Ensign Junior High through eighth grade but moved to Hawaii before his freshman year.