Bryan Lawson

School: Capistrano Valley High

Sport: Boys’ volleyball

Position: Outside hitter

Class: Senior

Without any returning full-time starters, Capistrano Valley, which won the 1991 South Coast League title, figured to have to do some rebuilding this season. But thanks in part to the leadership of Lawson, the Cougars developed steadily and last week won a share of the league championship. The key victory came Tuesday against Irvine, which was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in Orange County. Lawson, the Cougars’ only senior starter, had 32 kills in the five-game victory over the Vaqueros. Lawson added 10 kills in the Cougars’ three-game victory over Dana Hills later in the week. But Lawson helps Capistrano Valley in other ways also, Coach Ken Goldstone said. Lawson, 6-feet-1, is the team’s best server and he makes about half of its passes. “He’s probably one of the best passers that I’ve seen this year,” Goldstone said.

Other top performers:

* David Bain, a Corona del Mar tennis player who defeated University’s John Bowerbank, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, for the Sea View League singles title.

*Ryan Crane, a Dana Hills runner who won three events (110 hurdles, 200 meters, 400 meters) and finished second in another (300 hurdles) at the South Coast League finals. Crane’s time in the 400 (47.8 seconds) was nearly two seconds better than his personal best.

* Ed Presbury, a Loara sprinter who won the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races at the Empire League finals.

* J.P. Presley, who had four key hits in two Orange Lutheran victories. Presley had two doubles and three RBIs in a 10-0 victory over Brethren Christian and a home run and four RBIs in a 7-0 victory over Ontario Christian.