BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL / SEASON PREVIEW : Sebree Going to College on Foot or on His Hands

Harvard-Westlake High’s Matt Sebree has achieved an unusual double-double.

No, not excelling as a punter and a kicker in football, or shining as a football player and a volleyball player, though both combinations are notable. Actually, Sebree’s truly impressive double has been to attract interest from the Notre Dame football and UCLA volleyball programs, the most storied in each sport.

“I talked to (Notre Dame recruiting coordinator) Tony Yelovich and he said my leg looked really strong,” Sebree said last week. “He said Coach (Lou) Holtz will be looking at it for a final analysis and will get back to me. It’s pretty exciting.”

UCLA volleyball Coach Al Scates also has invited him to walk on for the Bruins next season, Sebree said.

Notre Dame football and UCLA volleyball--not bad for a skinny kid (6-foot-2, 145 pounds) from a school known more for its academics. Actually, Sebree might not end up at either UCLA or Notre Dame. High-profile football programs such as USC, Penn State, Colorado, Washington, Wisconsin and Brigham Young have invited him to walk on as a punter/kicker.

In volleyball, he is being recruited by the top four teams--UCLA, USC, BYU and Penn State--in the latest national collegiate poll, as well as Ohio State and UC Santa Barbara.

Clearly, Sebree is a multiskilled athlete (he has also played soccer for Harvard-Westlake as a freshman and grew up playing baseball and tennis), and his wide range of talents give him a leg up--or is it the upper hand? After all, he uses both to great effect depending on the time of year.

“It’s definitely a weird combination,” he said. “But I enjoy playing both.”

Now, however, it’s volleyball season, so Sebree is concentrating on hitting the ball rather than kicking it.

The senior outside hitter is a key player for the Wolverines, ranked second in the Southern Section Division I preseason poll.

“I wish he was on my team,” Crespi Coach Kevin Slattum said of Sebree. “I think every great team needs a leader--one main guy, and everyone else falls in line. He’s that guy.”

Sebree is actually only one of a talented trio of seniors--along with setter Court Young and middle hitter Seth Rodsky--who have played together on the Santa Monica Beach Club team and for Harvard-Westlake for the past three years. However, the team was hurt by the recent loss of the fourth member of that group, senior outside hitter Doug Park, who quit the squad March 4.

Sebree and his teammates still don’t know why Park left.

“Doug quitting really, really hurt us,” Sebree said. “All four of the guys--me, Court, Seth and Doug--are essential to our team doing well.

“With Doug on the team, I would have told you that we had a legitimate shot, maybe two-to-one, of winning (a Southern Section title). Without him, I think it’s going to be tougher.”

The Wolverines found out just how much tougher when they lost a five-game match Tuesday to Mission League rival Loyola, but Harvard is still formidable. The Wolverines’ strengths are passing, quickness and intelligent play, which happen to be Sebree’s as well.

“He’s one of the purest passers in California right now,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Jess Quiroz said. “And before a play develops, he’s able to read it and position himself before it occurs. Not too many guys can do that. He reads the court and knows what’s happening.”

Last year, Sebree attended an invitational training camp in Colorado Springs for the top 36 junior players in the country. He was rated the top passer in the camp and had the highest vertical leap, 37 inches.

But he’s not a passive, cerebral student of the game who can’t spike a bowl of punch.

“It’s amazing how hard he can hit the ball,” Crespi’s Slattum said. “He really rips the ball. And he’s an incredible defensive player. He’s like a greyhound or a whippet.”

His wiry strength served him well in football. He didn’t play football as a sophomore, shared kicking duties as a junior and suddenly emerged as a prospect last fall.

Most colleges are not offering him scholarship money in either sport, just a guaranteed slot as a walk-on or a chance to compete for the starting job with the incumbent.

“Part of the reason is that I came on so late that a lot people didn’t get to see me kick,” he said. “But I feel that I can beat anyone out. I feel so strong and confident in my skills that I can say that.”

He averaged 37.9 yards a punt, routinely pounded the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs, and made six of six field goals and 24 of 26 extra points.

“I’ve been in the high school game for 27 years at several schools, and he’s by far the best kicker I’ve had,” Coach Dave Bennett said. “What he has going for him is that he’s an outstanding athlete.

“I think there’s some latent talent there. If he fills out a little bit--because he’s a string bean right now--he could be an outstanding prospect.”

Sebree is unsure which sport he will play in college.

“It really depends on the situation when it comes down to it,” he said. “If I go to a school with a strong football program and strong volleyball program and if both coaches say, ‘It’s OK, you can kick and play volleyball at the same time,’ I’m all for that. I’d love to do that.”

So which one does he like best?

“Football. . . . ahhhh, no, volleyball. To tell you truth, neither one is my best sport. It’s baseball.”

Top area teams:

HARVARD-WESTLAKE

* 1993: 17-4

* Coach: Jess Quiroz, 4th year

The Wolverines are the most highly regarded team in the area because a talented, experienced nucleus returns from last year.

Seniors Court Young, Matt Sebree and Seth Rodsky have played together since eighth grade. Young (6-foot-2) is the setter and will pass to Sebree (6-2 outside hitter) and Rodsky (6-4 1/2 middle blocker).

“Our strength is our passing and our quickness,” Quiroz said. “We’re not a team that’s going to go overpower people.”

The Wolverines were hurt by the loss of senior Doug Park, who quit the team two weeks ago.

Rounding out the lineup will be senior outside hitter Peter Kiefer, senior middle blocker Ryan Hudson and junior middle blocker Jay Ingram.

CANYON

* 1993: 16-3

* Coach: Ardyce Masters, 8th year

The Cowboys have eight returning seniors, making them one of the most experienced teams in the region.

Senior Brentt Phillips was an All-Foothill League selection last season. He will be joined by Jason Campbell and Marc McMillan, a pair of 6-1 outside hitters, 6-5 middle blocker Brian Lynn and senior setter Bryan Garrison.

The team’s depth and experience has Masters excited about the Cowboys’ prospects.

“We’ve scrimmaged Harvard-Westlake and Royal, and we’re as good as they are,” she said.

ROYAL

* 1993: 21-1

* Coach: Bob Ferguson, 7th year

Royal graduated 11 seniors from last year’s Southern Section Division II finalist, including five starters, three of whom earned NCAA Division I scholarships.

The lone returning starter is senior setter Adam White.

“We’re still competing for positions,” Ferguson said. “Last year we were a set group. This year, it’s not.”

Eric Carlsen, a 6-5 junior middle blocker, is a definite NCAA Division I prospect, Ferguson said.

He will be joined by 6-5 senior Garrison Chaffee, 6-2 junior Scott Hambly, 6-1 junior Danny Rizzo and 6-2 senior Jerod Whiteley.

CRESPI

* 1993: 10-6

* Coach: Kevin Slattum, 8th year

The Celts’ best player last year, Mike Lees, is redshirting at Cal State Northridge, so Crespi needs a new go-to guy.

It has one in Nick DiPasquale, a 6-3 senior outside hitter.

“Nick is kind of stepping into that role,” Slattum said.

Supporting him are senior setter Tim Keller (6-3) and senior outside hitter Joe Bellavia (6-4), both starters last year. Middle blocker Christian Hunt (6-4) transferred from Notre Dame.

Sophomore outside hitter Mark Stipkovich saw action last year on the varsity. Brian Emerson (6-1 outside hitter) and Seamus McDonald (6-4 middle blocker) also will play.

THOUSAND OAKS

* 1993: 18-3

* Coach: James Park, 4th year

The Lancers advanced to the Southern Section Division I quarterfinals last year before losing to eventual champion Esperanza. Thousand Oaks’ only other losses were to Royal.

“It’s hard to top that,” Park said. “But we should be pretty good.”

That’s because the Lancers have height, and lots of it. Senior middle blockers Paul Brandt (6-11), Jason Hartman (6-7) and Steve Vlasic (6-4) are expected to put up a big block for opposing hitters to contend with.

Setter Bryant Edwards, and outside hitters Dave Sotolov and Mike Friel round out the lineup.

GRANADA HILLS

* 1993: 13-1

* Coach: Tom Harp, 9th year

Harp has one of the best players in the region--senior Mike DiSimone, a powerful 6-5 outside hitter.

“He has as much power as anyone I’ve ever coached and he’s moving the ball around when he hits,” Harp said.

“Naturally his first (college) choice is UCLA and if he keeps playing the way he has, he’ll have a pretty good chance.”

The Highlanders advanced to the City Section 4-A Division semifinals last season but have only one other returning varsity player, setter Victor Chang, who was the team’s backup setter last year.

Earnest Yun (6-3) and Ryan Kamins (6-2) are middle blockers, and Mark Muir (5-10), Dan Elbert (6-0) and Irving Chen (5-11) are expected to see time at outside hitter.

VILLAGE CHRISTIAN

* 1993: 17-2

* Coach: Steve Levoe, 3rd year

Twelve of 16 players return from last year’s Division III quarterfinalists, but Village Christian suffered a blow Monday when 6-3 junior setter David Ludwig broke his left arm during a match and will miss the remainder of the season.

“We had a really good-looking team until Dave got hurt,” Levoe said. “With a little bit of work, we’ll still be a very good team.”

Brodie McClain and Steve Shaw will take Ludwig’s place. Also starting are Chad Hanson and Kikko Banos and Mike Mitchell and Ryan Owens.