Volleyball Team Looking Strong

Ray Ratelle has been here before. He has coached good teams and great teams, and has won a national championship.

So when Ratelle, Long Beach State men’s volleyball coach, says the 49ers have that special quality, his word seems proof enough. For those in doubt, however, there is more tangible evidence.

The 49ers are athletic, big, talented and intense. They have everything needed for a championship run, and Ratelle doesn’t downplay his expectations.

“We’re a good team--we’re a real good team,” Ratelle said. “We’ve got a lot of experience and a lot of talent.

“We’ve got a good bench and, I think, we’re probably the most physically gifted team in the country. Right now, it’s just a matter of if we can get it done when it counts.”

Others agree. Long Beach, which opens the season Jan. 13 at Cal State Northridge, is ranked second in Volleyball Magazine’s preseason poll. Hawaii is ranked No. 1.

The 49ers provide Ratelle with many options. Everyone on the roster is good enough to contribute, Ratelle said, but there are only so many spots.

“There’s competition all the way around,” Ratelle said. “You have to keep focused if you want to stay in there, because somebody else is right behind you.”

Not at every position, though. If the 49ers are playing, expect senior opposite hitter Tom Hoff to be as well.

The All-American was consistently dominant as a junior. He had 751 kills--the sixth highest total in NCAA history. He averaged 7.22 kills per game, which is ninth on the all-time NCAA list.

“Tom is obviously a big part of what we’re doing,” Ratelle said. “He’s one of the guys we need to carry a big load.”

Yes, but he won’t long for help. Middle blocker Gaby Amar is another key.

Amar was often sensational as a freshman last season. His progress enabled Ratelle to shift Hoff to a hitter position, which strengthened the team. Senior hitter Travis Barr (Dana Hills High) and junior Geoffrey Cryst are also a formidable tandem.

Another major boost is the return of Martin Wagner at a hitter position. The talent level was high enough last season that Wagner, probably the 49ers’ best player two seasons ago, could afford to take a redshirt season because of academic reasons. Wagner led Long Beach in kills in 1994 with 567 and was selected third-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

“He carried the team two years ago when we weren’t much,” Ratelle said. “He’s a big plus for us.”

With this group growing together last season, the 49ers made strides. They were 18-9 and finished third in the MPSF at 12-7. The season before, Long Beach was 13-15, 7-12.

Despite the turnaround, Ratelle wasn’t content. He believed the 49ers were good enough to play for another national title.

“I thought we should have done better in the postseason,” said Ratelle, who has guided Long Beach to two NCAA title games, winning in 1991.

That’s why despite the 49ers’ talent and his excitement, Ratelle isn’t calling jewelers just yet. The MPSF will be as tough as ever.

“You can’t run through [the MPSF] no matter how good you are,” Ratelle said. “There are just too many good programs, and we still haven’t done anything yet.

“Can it happen for us? Sure it can. But, quite frankly, it can happen for a lot of other teams too.”

*

The quarterback: Steve Walker (Huntington Beach High and Golden West College) and Forrest Cheney were battling for the starting setting position last season.

Cheney, the better defender, missed some of the preseason with a dislocated finger on his right hand. Walker was impressive in early matches.

The rest, as it goes, is history.

Walker had an outstanding season. He led the nation in assists with 1,836, and assists per game at 18.18. He was selected honorable mention All-MPSF.

Walker returns for his senior season as the undisputed starter. Cheney, a junior, is the backup.

“Walker was just better in the big matches,” Ratelle said. “We’re going to try to play Forrest when we can, but Steve will be in there when it’s down to the nitty gritty.”

49er Notes

The Ray Ratelle file: Beginning his 15th season at Long Beach, Ratelle has a record of 278-158. In 1994, he became only the fifth men’s volleyball coach in NCAA history to win 250 matches. He was selected the national coach of the year in 1990 and ’91. Long Beach finished 28-7 in 1990 and played in the NCAA championship match. The 49ers won the title in 1991, finishing 31-4. . . . Baseball practice begins Sunday and the alumni game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Blair Field. The regular season begins for the 49ers on Feb. 2 with a 3 p.m. game at USC.