Andric Gives Honest Performance

Among the thundering hits, the booming blocks and the spectacular saves at the Orange County High School boys’ volleyball all-star match Friday, the most remarkable play was a bit of honesty.

Vladimir Andric earned a round of applause with a show of good-sportsmanship as he helped the South to a 18-21, 21-12, 21-18 victory over the North before about 700 at Newport Harbor High.

With his team leading, 18-9 in the second game, Andric’s hand touched a spike by North outside hitter Brandon Dove of Tustin High.

After officials did not call the touch and ruled the hit wide, North Coach Rocky Ciarelli of Huntington Beach implored Andric to step forward.

In an uncommon display of benevolence, Andric did.

After the game, Ciarelli turned to the crowd and said, “Hey, he is just a nice, honest guy.”

Andric, an exchange student from Croatia and a 6-foot-8 outside hitter for Laguna Beach High, also is one of the most dominating players in the county. He will attend Pacific in the fall.

The North took a 16-2 lead in the first of the three, rally-scoring games but Donald Chen of University had three kills to spark the South on a 16-4 run to bring it to within two points, 20-18. John Coon of Corona del Mar then had a kill to win the game for the North.

The South gained momentum from its run and turned things around in the second game, jumping to an 11-5 lead and never looking back.

“I think once we loosened up a little we did fine,” said South setter Brandon Taliaferro of San Clemente.

With the South trailing 8-7 in the third game, Mike Tully of Capistrano Valley had two kills and served an ace for three-consecutive points that gave the South a small lead, 10-8. Evan Hook made some spectacular plays and had two kills to keep the North close during the remainder of the game, but the South finally won it on a kill by Chen.

“It was a blast. It was the most fun I’ve had all year,” Taliaferro said, noting it was the first time he has beaten North Coach Ciarelli in four years.

Chen, who had a team-high five kills overall, was selected the most valuable player of the match.