His Homecoming Causes Old Coach to Divide Loyalty

Ryan Millar is coming back to the Valley area. And he’s bringing some friends.

Millar, the former Highland High volleyball standout, is a sophomore middle blocker for top-ranked Brigham Young University, which plays at Cal State Northridge tonight at 7.

Millar, The Times’ 1995 player of the year in the region, leads the Cougars in kills (6.06 per game), blocks (1.91 per game) and hitting percentage (.428).

He’s a big reason why the Cougars (8-1, 6-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) are off to a fast start.

“Our goal this year has been for us to win the national championship,” said the 6-foot-7 Millar. “We’re going to be up there for sure.”

One person who will be at the Matadome is Highland High Coach Mike Bird.

Bird played for Northridge from 1983-86 and still follows the unranked Matadors (6-5, 3-5). He coached Millar at Highland, presenting somewhat of a quandary.

“I’m rooting for CSUN, but I’m also rooting for Ryan,” Bird said. “I’d love for CSUN to upset them . . . that would be great.”

Former Royal High standouts Adam White and Josh Penrod also play for BYU.