Poly’s Work Program Paying Net Dividends

One starter repairs arcade machines at Chuck E Cheese’s. Two starters make smoothies at the Panorama Mall. Another starter has arms covered with paint from working with his father.

Life isn’t a day at the beach for members of Poly High’s unbeaten boys’ volleyball team. Most have part-time jobs to fulfill family obligations, pay for car insurance or save for college.

Winning the championship of the all-day Sylmar tournament on Saturday cost Poly players in the wallet.

“It is a sacrifice, but it’s for the love of the game,” said setter Oscar Garcia, who has two jobs.

Make no mistake, these dedicated, hard-working teenagers are determined to prove that Taft is no shoo-in to win a second consecutive City Championship.

Don’t forget that Poly was the only playoff team to take Taft to four games before losing in the semifinals last season.

On Tuesday, the Parrots improved to 12-0 and clinched the Sunset Six League championship with a 15-9, 10-15, 15-2, 15-7 victory over Grant.

It’s remarkable how far Poly has come.

Imagine a basketball, football or baseball team trying to win a City Championship with a group of players who never played the sport before high school?

It doesn’t happen--ever. Lack of experience alone disqualifies a team from contention.

But John Ford, a math and science teacher in his 11th year coaching volleyball at Poly, put together his roster mostly by recruiting students from P.E. classes, then teaching them fundamentals, from how to hold a volleyball to where to stand on the court.

“I never even touched a volleyball until I reached high school,” said Ivan Cuevas, Poly’s 6-foot-3 senior middle blocker.

It’s an unlikely group of players who are deserving of respect and admiration for what they’ve accomplished.

“We all learned from scratch,” said Alex Vallejo, a 6-0 outside hitter.

Added Garcia: “Everybody just works hard.”

Cuevas is the team’s best player. A tight end in football, he uses his leaping skills and upper-body strength to give the Parrots a dominating player at the net.

He’s just as impressive away from the court. At Chuck E Cheese’s, he’s a loyal employee. If any kids splatter him with pizza, no problem.

“I love kids,” Cuevas said. “I have lots of patience.”

Miguel Ramos, a 5-11 outside hitter who plays basketball, is another player with little volleyball experience.

Asked what it would mean to win a City title, Ramos said, “I wouldn’t believe it. I don’t know how I’d feel. I’ve never won anything big in my life.”

Moises Castillo, a 6-0 junior outside hitter, remembers when Ford began teaching him how to play the game.

“It was pretty hard,” Castillo said. “Trying to hit the ball took me a whole year to do. Passing, I’m still working on it.”

In frustration, Castillo said there were moments when he asked himself, “What am I doing here?”

Now, Castillo said, “I can pound the ball. It’s not like any other sport I’ve played before. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”

Joel Cruz, a 6-1 senior middle blocker, is the sixth starter on a team that can be rambunctious.

Not long ago, it was absurd for Poly to think about winning a City title.

“It’s very satisfying,” Ford said. “It’s taken a long time to get our program to this point.”

No one is saying Poly will end up defeating unbeaten Taft next month for the City Championship, but what’s wrong with having a dream?

“It would be the best,” Cuevas said. “I would go crazy. I’d jump around everywhere.”

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Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (8180 772-3422 or eric.sondheimer@latimes.com