La Cañada High boys’ volleyball upper, underclassmen honored for turnaround

Without just one win in the Rio Hondo League and no all-league selections, including honorable mention, a year ago, the La Cañada High boys’ volleyball team eyed more success in 2013 with the additions of a new coaching staff and impressive freshman class.

The Spartans went from last to runner-up in league this season and were awarded with four all-league players. It was one of the immediate-impact freshman, Connor Walbrecht, who earned the team’s top award with a first-team nod.

The setter did just about everything for the Spartans, who went 13-11 (6-1 in league) and advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division III quarterfinals, putting up 847 assists, 359 digs, 87 kills, 21 blocks and 25 aces in his inaugural high school campaign.

Senior leaders Orion Burl and Jonathan Sullivan picked up second-team accolades for La Cañada, which also had freshman libero Connor Belcher added as an honorable mention.

Much like Walbrecht, Burl was a multi-talented player. The outside hitter logged 273 kills, 200 digs, 28 aces and 25 blocks. On the right side, Sullivan put up similar numbers with 264 kills, 192 digs, 58 blocks and 56 aces.

Belcher provided La Cañada with a standout libero, as he recorded a team-high 408 digs, 55 assists and 20 aces as a freshman.