Alemany Stays On Line, Gets by Chaminade

It’s amazing what Internet access can do to a team.

Jamie Quaglino, the boys’ volleyball coach at Alemany High, was stunned when he perused the Southern Section web site Monday night, only to find Alemany was nowhere to be found in the Division II rankings.

Then he took action, helping to create a rallying cry for his team.

No rankings. No respect. No way.

Alemany certainly didn’t take a step backward with a 2-15, 15-9, 15-6, 13-15, 15-11 victory over Chaminade in a Mission League match Tuesday at Chaminade.

Despite a deplorable start, Alemany (8-1, 4-1 in league play) made a case for some consideration from the pollsters.

Darrin Phillips delivered 22 kills and Eugene Kim and Joe Chavez each added 15 for Alemany, ranked No. 8 in the region by The Times.

Chaminade (6-1, 3-1) is ranked No. 2 in Division III and No. 7 in the region.

“For this team not to be ranked in Division II is a farce,” Quaglino said. “Everyone said we graduated all of our players [from last season] and we weren’t any good. We want to show we have a program.”

Last year, the Indians advanced to the Division II semifinals, but catalyst Richard Nelson now plays for UCLA. But with Phillips (six kills in the third game) and Chavez (five kills in the fifth game), Alemany still has talent.

And with the 6-foot-7 Kim, who also had nine blocks, the Indians can shut down an opponent’s offense.

Alemany was not without its faults. The Indians, trying a new lineup in the first game, were called for five rotation violations, leading directly to five points for Chaminade.

“It was just me trying to out-think myself,” Quaglino said. “There are a lot of teams that just fold after [a first game like] that.”

Not Alemany.

The Indians won the second and third games and held a 13-11 lead in the fourth.

Then it was Chaminade’s turn for a comeback.

Adam Hickerson, who led the Eagles with 20 kills, forced a fifth game with two late aces.

Alemany regained control in the final game, which ended on a kill by Chavez.

“We knew we had to finish it,” Chavez said. “We just stayed with it.”

Chaminade, a perennial bottom-dweller in the Mission League, proved it is for real this season. Four players had at least eight kills for the Eagles, including setter Paul Jocas, who has signed with UCLA and is expected to compete for the newly created Libero position next season.

“I think things are really looking up for us,” said Coach Eric Dick. “We’re going to be a real solid team in two or three weeks.”

The Eagles play defending league champion Loyola on Thursday. Alemany lost to Loyola in four games, but the rematch is April 14 at Loyola.