All-Area Boys’ Volleyball First Team
David Barker
Senior, Setter, South Pasadena
Earned All-Rio Hondo League and All-CIF first-team honors after making Tigers’ up-tempo offense run. Averaged 34.3 assists a match in six playoff matches. South Pasadena won a league title and captured a CIF Southern Section Division III crown for the first time.
Kareem Ismail
Senior, Middle Blocker, Flintridge Prep
Consistent and versatile, the All-Prep League first-teamer was a crucial element in a balanced Rebels squad that advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division IV quarterfinals. The senior notched 189 kills and 118 blocks.
Daniel Jacobs
Senior, Outside Hitter, Burroughs
Pacific League co-MVP and All-CIF selection concluded a phenomenal career in which he was the Indians’ all-time killer leader (729). Finished a senior season in which he led the squad to a co-league title with team-highs of 219 kills and 36 aces, while adding 110 digs and 15 blocks.
Charles McCarthy
Senior, Outside Hitter, St. Francis
An All-Mission League first-team selection is bound for the University of Pacific. The hitter was one of the area’s most talented players, though he was perhaps overlooked as the Golden Knights struggled, playing in the toughest league of any area team. Pounded out 362 kills against top-notch competition, adding 28 blocks and 16 aces.
Connor Walbrecht
Freshman, Setter, La Cañada
Rio Hondo League first-teamer had an outstanding rookie season during the Spartans’ resurgence. Tallied an area-high 847 assists to go along with more eye-popping numbers in the form of 359 digs, 87 kills, 25 aces and 21 blocks.
Richard Yu
Soph., Outside Hitter, South Pasadena
Transfer from China solidified Tigers’ offense with another elite hitter. Displayed straight-down power throughout the year and shifted into another level in the postseason, averaging second-best 13.9 kills a playoff match for South Pasadena.
Coach of the Year
Ben Diaz, South Pasadena
Navigated Tigers to a historically successful season in which they won their first-ever CIF Southern Section title, sweeping to a Division III crown. Thereafter, the Tigers, who had already gone undefeated in the Rio Hondo League, finished their season with a 29-5 record after advancing to the semifinals of the CIF Southern California Division II Regional Championships. Was named Southern Section Division III Coach of the Year.