Players to Watch
* Dennis Alshuler, Corona del Mar, middle blocker, Sr.
* Anthony Aquino, Irvine, middle blocker, Sr.
* Kevin Frantz, Capistrano Valley, outside hitter, Sr.
* Adam Hearlson, Newport Harbor, middle blocker, Sr.
* Mike Jackson, Corona del Mar, outside hitter, Sr.
* Matt Jameson, Newport Harbor, opposite, Sr.
* Brian Kallenbaugh, Santa Margarita, middle blocker, Sr.
* Brad Keenan, Fountain Valley, middle blocker, Sr.
* Andy Mauro, Santa Margarita, setter, Sr.
* Miles McGann, Laguna Beach, outside hitter/setter, Sr.
* Justin Sudduth, Esperanza, opposite, Sr.
* Matt Wendt, Huntington Beach, outside hitter, Jr.
* Jeff Wootton, Marina, outside hitter, Jr.
League Favorites
Century: Foothill; Empire: Century; Garden Grove: Bolsa Grande; Golden West: Servite; Olympic: Cerritos Valley Christian; Pacific Coast: University; Sea View: Newport Harbor; South Coast: Capistrano Valley; Sunset: Marina.
Key Dates
Friday-Saturday, Orange County Championships, Marina HS; March 22, O.C. Championships semifinals and final, Golden West College; May 12, 14, 18, 21 and 26, Southern Section playoffs; May 29, Southern Section finals.
1998 Final Poll
1. Newport Harbor (17-0), 2. Santa Margarita (14-3), 3. Laguna Beach (15-2), 4. Corona del Mar (9-5), 5. Marina 11-5, 6. Dana Hills (13-3), 7. Mater Dei (15-1), 8. El Toro (8-8), 9. Fountain Valley (8-6), 10. (tie) Servite (14-2) and Irvine (7-7).
Notes
Laguna Beach returns 6-foot-5 setter Miles McGann, who could also see action at outside hitter. . . . Brea Olinda, Savanna and Valencia will play a freelance schedule rather than compete in the Empire League. Western has joined Bellflower, Lakewood Artesia and La Mirada in the Suburban League, but the Pioneers will probably link up with Brea, Savanna and Valencia in a new Orange League in 2000. . . . Defending Division III champion Corona del Mar has been slowed because three of its top players just came out from basketball, and outside hitter Brandon Crosby is academically ineligible. . . . Four Newport Harbor starters also joined the team late because of basketball. Outside hitter Zach Wells will miss two weeks to play for the U.S. junior national soccer team in South America. . . . Defending Century League champion Canyon is led by 6-6 middle Aaron Willis and 6-3 middle John Binder. . . . Century returns four starters, including 5-10 setter Paul Ferretti. . . . Junior outside hitter Jeff Wootton of Marina played for the U.S. National 16 team last summer. . . . Capistrano Valley has six players 6-3 or taller, including 6-6 middle Jarred Metchkoff. . . . A key to Fountain Valley’s success might rest with 5-11 Justin Bock, the only true setter on the Barons’ roster.