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Boyd leads all-league picks

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Glendale News Press

GLENDALE — In his final season playing high school volleyball, Eric Boyd figured he needed better vision of the entire court to help him put up some impressionable numbers.

Boyd, a senior middle blocker at Crescenta Valley, followed his hunch and his statistics greatly improved en route to helping the Falcons qualify for the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs.

“With my court awareness, there comes a point where it becomes more natural,” said Boyd, who landed a spot on the All-Pacific League first team after finishing with 167 kills and a .408 hitting percentage. “You know what to do in certain points of a match.

“Before the season started, it was kind of a goal to make the first team, but not the reason why I wanted to do well. It’s real nice to know that I improved and was recognized.”

Boyd finished with 34 blocks, 28 aces and 21 digs for the Falcons, who went 9-8 and 5-5 in league for third place.

The three-year varsity athlete became the program’s all-time leader in hitting percentage at a .371 clip.

Boyd surpassed the program’s best hitting percentage of .369, set by Matt Taras from 1991-94.

“Eric proved to be awesome and a good leader for us,” Crescenta Valley Coach John Nelson said. “He’s very humble and unselfish.

“His ability to hit the ball to different spots on the court helped him become a much better player.”

Boyd was the lone area player selected to the first team. Crescenta Valley senior opposite hitter Connor Smith and Glendale senior middle blocker Samier Mahagna earned spots on the second team.

Smith finished with a team-best 226 kills, 35 blocks and a .358 hitting percentage. He ranks third all time in the program’s 21-year history in hitting percentage.

“Connor came on real strong toward the end of the year,” Nelson said. “He’s big and strong.

“He’s the type of player who goes up and hits the ball real hard.”

Three area players received honorable mention: Crescenta Valley senior setter Gabriel Can, Glendale senior setter Victor Hernandez and Jose Obien of Hoover.

Can contributed 528 assists during his second varsity campaign. He ranks third all time in career assists at Crescenta Valley with 1,252.

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