SOUTHERN SECTION VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP : Stranske Steps In to Lead Whittier Christian in 2-A

Tim Stranske played only a small role in Whittier Christian’s Southern Section 2-A volleyball championship last season, and he thought it would be the same this season.

“I figured I would probably be spending some time on the bench,” he said.

But Stranske had a major role in the Heralds’ 15-10, 11-15, 15-3, 15-13 victory over Calvary Chapel in the championship match Saturday at Cerritos College.

Stranske, a 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker, replaced injured Adam Keife in the starting lineup and finished with a team-high 18 kills as the Heralds won their second consecutive title.

Stranske landed the starting role Monday after Keife injured his right calf. Stranske had 14 kills in a semifinal victory over Rosemead Bosco Tech, despite making the switch from outside hitter to middle blocker.

“I was sort of scared to death,” Stranske said. “It was a position I had never played before.”

Whittier Christian Coach Dave Herron said Stranske made a smooth transition to the new position. “Tim responded for us,” Herron said. “That’s why we tell our players to go hard in practice. You never know when your number is going to be called.”

Herron called plenty of them Saturday, playing 11 players. Calvary Chapel used only seven on a regular basis.

Adam McIlhenny had 13 kills and three aces and Aaron Forrister 10 kills for Whittier Christian (20-1). Peter Schrock had 11 kills, and reserve Stan Park had two aces in the third game.

Danny Neumann had 16 kills and Philip Schildts added 13 for unseeded Calvary Chapel (10-8).

Middle blocker Matt Beeman, one of Calvary Chapel’s top players, had only six kills and two blocks. “We shut down Beeman in the middle,” Herron said. “That was a big key for us.”

Stranske had seven kills in the first game as the Heralds rallied from a 10-4 deficit with an 11-0 run. Calvary Chapel committed five hitting errors in the streak, and Stranske’s kills scored two of Whittier Christian’s final three points.

Calvary Chapel jumped to a 7-3 lead in the second game behind three kills by Neumann. Whittier Christian cut it to 7-6, but the Heralds committed three consecutive hitting errors as Calvary Chapel won, 15-11.

McIlhenny’s jump serve gave Calvary Chapel fits in the third game. He had three aces and added five kills as the Heralds built an 11-2 lead and cruised to victory. Whittier Christian scored six points in the game on aces.

In the fourth game, Whittier Christian rallied from an 8-3 deficit to take a 14-10 lead.

It was Whittier Christian’s fourth consecutive victory over Calvary Chapel, dating to last season’s championship match.