This Byron Is Lord of the Lanes

In the past, the ideal volleyball play was a bump, set and spike.

More recently, it’s referred to as a pass, set and spike.

Then there’s the combination preferred by Byron Laughlin of Palmdale High--pass, set, strike.

The sophomore setter excels on the volleyball court and at the bowling alley.

When he’s not orchestrating the Falcons’ offense, he tries to pick up spares and avoid the dreaded seven-10 split. He usually succeeds.

Last year, Laughlin finished 26th in the state with a 276 score in the 18-and-under division. He bowls two hours a day when it’s not volleyball season.

Laughlin enjoys volleyball because it’s active--”I like running around,” he said--but he appreciates the more pedestrian lifestyle of a bowler.

“It’s relaxing,” Laughlin said. “It calms me down. If I want to have fun there, I have fun. If I want to work [on my game] there, I can.”

Laughlin learned to bowl from his mother, Beverly, who has been in a bowling league for several years.

It’s no secret what he’s going to get for his birthday or for Christmas. He owns seven bowling balls, most of them gifts.

Laughlin, who once bowled a 299 game, has advice for those facing the seven-10 split.

“Throw the ball really hard,” Laughlin said, “and hope it bounces around and gets the pins.”

Has it ever worked for him?

“Not once,” he said. “I’ve come close a couple of times.”

It’s not from lack of trying.

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A recent Southern Section ruling has angered several coaches.

In an action that affects many high-profile volleyball programs, schools can no longer move up to compete in higher divisions in enrollment-based playoffs.

That’s a problem.

In the 26-year history of Southern Section boys’ volleyball playoffs, Mira Costa, Newport Harbor, Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar have won 50% of the top-division titles.

All four schools, under the new rule, are prohibited from playing in Division I next season, given the current enrollment figures.

On the girls’ side, the same four schools won 23 top-division titles since section playoffs began in 1972.

Enforcement of the rule begins with the 2001 winter playoffs.

“There’s no sense in it,” said Royal Coach Bob Ferguson, whose team will remain in watered-down Division I. “I prefer to see teams play at their ability level, not their population level.”

Harvard-Westlake is a Division III school based on enrollment, but has moved up to the Division I playoffs in seven of the last eight years. Next year, the Wolverines won’t have that option.

“I don’t know if they’re just bored and felt like making a rule change or what,” said Coach Jess Quiroz of Harvard-Westlake. “If there’s a logic to it, I don’t see it. What are they trying to accomplish here?”

Dissatisfaction is not limited to coaches in the region.

Mike Cook has guided Mira Costa to three top-division boys’ volleyball titles. Several of his players have become college All-Americans and pro beach players.

With an enrollment of 2,100, the Manhattan Beach school would not compete in Division I next year.

“This is ridiculous,” Cook said. “We’re a beach school and we don’t want to compete against less than the best. Now you’re saying we have to play in Division II? I’m not even sure we would want to win that championship.”

The council’s intent was to increase competitive equity within enrollment-based divisions. But the lack of traditional powers in Division I only diminished the importance of the top-level title.

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One school received good news from the Southern Section.

Alemany (12-1, 7-1 in Mission League play) finally received recognition for its best start in school history, debuting at No. 4 in the Division II poll this week.

“I’m a little surprised they allowed us to jump that high, but I think we deserve it,” said Coach Jamie Quaglino. “It’s nice to be up there, but I told the guys that we got what we were complaining for, so let’s not give it away.”

The Indians play Loyola, ranked No. 2 in Division I, in a league match Friday at Loyola.

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The basketball boys are back, and so is Ben Scherer.

That can only mean good things for Campbell Hall, which plays an important Delphic League match at Brentwood on Friday night.

Campbell Hall (8-1, 2-0) has won eight consecutive matches since the return of seniors Greg Drobnick and Cameron Klippsten, who missed the start of the season because of the basketball team’s deep run in the playoffs.

Scherer, a junior who recently returned from a broken arm, gives the Vikings a full roster against Brentwood.

“Both schools always manage to play their best match of the year that night,” said first-year Coach Tim Nollan of Campbell Hall. “I’ve never seen a Brentwood-Campbell Hall match that’s uneventful.”

Nollan was an All-Southern Section setter for Campbell Hall and was part of a memorable match against Brentwood in 1996, his senior season. Campbell Hall lost in five games.

As for Friday, Nollan said, “It’ll be an experience. I’m just trying to teach my kids what they need to know about it.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Boys’ Volleyball Top 10

Rankings of teams in the region

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RK LW School (League) Rec. 1 2 Royal (Marmonte) 12-1 2 1 Highland (Golden) 5-0 3 3 Taft (West Valley) 12-0 4 4 Canyon (Foothill) 6-2 5 5 Quartz Hill (Golden) 7-1 6 6 Alemany (Mission) 12-1 7 7 Chaminade (Mission) 11-2 8 8 Westlake (Marmonte) 11-2 9 9 Village Christian (Alpha) 15-0 10 10 Simi Valley (Marmonte) 9-2

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