Saturday, April 27, 2019
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
IVA days
By Ed Piper
When I was a 23-year-old sports editor of a weekday newspaper, I was able to rub elbows with and watch world-class volleyball players as they showed off their pinpoint setting ability lofting balls into overhanging basketball hoops in the gym they used for practice in Santa Barbara.
The days were 1977, and the International Volleyball Association (IVA), a pro league in the U.S. including international players, was in its short-lived heyday (1975-1980).
Stars like player/coach Bebeto, a setter from Brazil, hitter Jose Luis Garcia, from Sinaloa, Mexico, and Luis Eymard, another high-leaping hitter from Brazil led the roster of the Santa Barbara Spikers, who I was able to cover regularly.
Garcia, who powered 100-mph-plus spikes across the net, was a near national hero in his native Mexico. There were stories that boys and girls in his hometown jammed the local gym as they positioned themselves to retrieve his bazooka hits in workouts.
The IVA, which landed former Laker and 76er Wilt Chamberlain for one of its franchises, the Orange County Stars, employed the coed and novel configuration of men along the front line at the net, women on the back line defending. All 13 teams were based in cities in the western U.S.
Debbie Green was a defender the Spikers placed on the back line.
For the first time, I became aware of how popular volleyball was and is in Europe. There were some outstanding hitters from Poland, for instance.
All of this becomes a little more delectable in memory as one traces the ascending career of former Viking Madeleine Gates, who competed for three years as an undergrad at UCLA in 2016-17-18, and now is transferring to national champion Stanford for a fourth, graduate year without sitting out (having completed her Economics degree in three years).
I was thinking, Madeleine is going to Italy this summer with the U.S. National Team. What are the opportunities she will have in the future to play pro volleyball overseas?
In answer to a question about pro leagues in Europe, and whether the possibility of Madeleine playing abroad has come up in conversations at home, her mother, Amy Randel, replied: "Yes, there are pro leagues in Asia, Europe, and Brazil. And there has been mention of that."
My own international travel and living, though not as an elite athlete like Gates, didn't come until after I finished college. A year living and teaching in Mexico City, where I stumbled into playing for two men's basketball teams (one headed by the only woman coach in the league, Yula Moguel Viveros), followed immediately on my brother and me traveling through eight countries in western Europe (Serbia, Croatia, and the others were part of Yugoslavia--this was 1975) for a summer.
These experiences were exciting, and though it sounds trite, they broadened me as a person. I learned Spanish, which I did not speak before my travels (my teaching in Mexico City was in English). A language, in itself, carries the culture and thought patterns of a people group. Madeleine already speaks Spanish, having pursued that as a minor at UCLA.
Exciting times ahead for the high-leaping, hard-hitting, heavy-studying 6'3" middle, newly to be with the Cardinal after her sojourn to Naples July 4.
When I was a 23-year-old sports editor of a weekday newspaper, I was able to rub elbows with and watch world-class volleyball players as they showed off their pinpoint setting ability lofting balls into overhanging basketball hoops in the gym they used for practice in Santa Barbara.
The days were 1977, and the International Volleyball Association (IVA), a pro league in the U.S. including international players, was in its short-lived heyday (1975-1980).
Stars like player/coach Bebeto, a setter from Brazil, hitter Jose Luis Garcia, from Sinaloa, Mexico, and Luis Eymard, another high-leaping hitter from Brazil led the roster of the Santa Barbara Spikers, who I was able to cover regularly.
Garcia, who powered 100-mph-plus spikes across the net, was a near national hero in his native Mexico. There were stories that boys and girls in his hometown jammed the local gym as they positioned themselves to retrieve his bazooka hits in workouts.
The IVA, which landed former Laker and 76er Wilt Chamberlain for one of its franchises, the Orange County Stars, employed the coed and novel configuration of men along the front line at the net, women on the back line defending. All 13 teams were based in cities in the western U.S.
Debbie Green was a defender the Spikers placed on the back line.
For the first time, I became aware of how popular volleyball was and is in Europe. There were some outstanding hitters from Poland, for instance.
All of this becomes a little more delectable in memory as one traces the ascending career of former Viking Madeleine Gates, who competed for three years as an undergrad at UCLA in 2016-17-18, and now is transferring to national champion Stanford for a fourth, graduate year without sitting out (having completed her Economics degree in three years).
I was thinking, Madeleine is going to Italy this summer with the U.S. National Team. What are the opportunities she will have in the future to play pro volleyball overseas?
In answer to a question about pro leagues in Europe, and whether the possibility of Madeleine playing abroad has come up in conversations at home, her mother, Amy Randel, replied: "Yes, there are pro leagues in Asia, Europe, and Brazil. And there has been mention of that."
My own international travel and living, though not as an elite athlete like Gates, didn't come until after I finished college. A year living and teaching in Mexico City, where I stumbled into playing for two men's basketball teams (one headed by the only woman coach in the league, Yula Moguel Viveros), followed immediately on my brother and me traveling through eight countries in western Europe (Serbia, Croatia, and the others were part of Yugoslavia--this was 1975) for a summer.
These experiences were exciting, and though it sounds trite, they broadened me as a person. I learned Spanish, which I did not speak before my travels (my teaching in Mexico City was in English). A language, in itself, carries the culture and thought patterns of a people group. Madeleine already speaks Spanish, having pursued that as a minor at UCLA.
Exciting times ahead for the high-leaping, hard-hitting, heavy-studying 6'3" middle, newly to be with the Cardinal after her sojourn to Naples July 4.
Monday, April 22, 2019
Espanol, Econ
By Ed Piper
Her espanol must be pretty good, but Madeleine Gates' Economics insights are probably even better as she walks through graduation at UCLA in six weeks.
"She'll be their first transfer in the history of the program," says Amy Randel, Gates' mother, of the 6'3" middle's imminent move to become a member of Stanford's number-one volleyball squad.
Randel, a volleyball player during her career, now a professor at San Diego State, revealed that Madeleine will fill the only slot open on the Cardinal's squad, from which the starting middle graduated.
As Gates has always done, she is keeping the emphasis on the academic: "She was accepted into a Master's program in Statistics at Stanford," says her proud mama.
The former Viking completed her undergraduate studies with a major in Economics and a minor in Spanish in three years plus a summer on the Westwood campus.
Her espanol must be pretty good, but Madeleine Gates' Economics insights are probably even better as she walks through graduation at UCLA in six weeks.
"She'll be their first transfer in the history of the program," says Amy Randel, Gates' mother, of the 6'3" middle's imminent move to become a member of Stanford's number-one volleyball squad.
Randel, a volleyball player during her career, now a professor at San Diego State, revealed that Madeleine will fill the only slot open on the Cardinal's squad, from which the starting middle graduated.
As Gates has always done, she is keeping the emphasis on the academic: "She was accepted into a Master's program in Statistics at Stanford," says her proud mama.
The former Viking completed her undergraduate studies with a major in Economics and a minor in Spanish in three years plus a summer on the Westwood campus.
Gates: Going to World University Games
By Ed Piper
In a vacuum of other information, La Jolla High's Madeleine Gates, a middle blocker, will travel with the U.S. National Volleyball Team made up of current college players to Napoli, Italy, to compete in the World University Games in July.
The UCLA-graduating Gates, who carried five Advanced Placement courses and one college course during a semester as a Viking, and the squad, selected in March, will play in preliminary-round matches beginning American Independence Day, July 4, through July 11 in the coastal city.
The semifinals are schedule July 12, with medal-round matches July 13.
Other middles on the elite squad include Kennedy Eschenberg of BYU and Avie Niece from the University of Washington.
Gates, according to a local source, is walking through graduation at UCLA for her Bachelor's degree in June, completing her undergraduate studies in three years, instead of the usual four.
Commencement ceremonies at UCLA occur the weekend of Fri., June 14, through Mon., June 16.
After being named a Second Team All-American her sophomore year at UCLA in 2017, the 6'3" power hitter in 2018 tied for third among Pac-12 players with 20 solo blocks in 27 overall matches for the Bruins, who finished a blemished 8-12 in the conference, 13-14 overall.
The right-hander, who also played basketball her freshman and sophomore years at La Jolla High, finished with a total of 107 blocks, on 87 assisted blocks.
Gates was one of the lights for UCLA in a 12-8, 21-11 season in 2017.
The Bruins placed third in the Pac-12 during Madeleine's freshman year, 15-5 in conference, 27-7 overall. The team slide over the three years of her career is apparent, though that is not to her discredit.
In a vacuum of other information, La Jolla High's Madeleine Gates, a middle blocker, will travel with the U.S. National Volleyball Team made up of current college players to Napoli, Italy, to compete in the World University Games in July.
The UCLA-graduating Gates, who carried five Advanced Placement courses and one college course during a semester as a Viking, and the squad, selected in March, will play in preliminary-round matches beginning American Independence Day, July 4, through July 11 in the coastal city.
The semifinals are schedule July 12, with medal-round matches July 13.
Other middles on the elite squad include Kennedy Eschenberg of BYU and Avie Niece from the University of Washington.
Gates, according to a local source, is walking through graduation at UCLA for her Bachelor's degree in June, completing her undergraduate studies in three years, instead of the usual four.
Commencement ceremonies at UCLA occur the weekend of Fri., June 14, through Mon., June 16.
After being named a Second Team All-American her sophomore year at UCLA in 2017, the 6'3" power hitter in 2018 tied for third among Pac-12 players with 20 solo blocks in 27 overall matches for the Bruins, who finished a blemished 8-12 in the conference, 13-14 overall.
The right-hander, who also played basketball her freshman and sophomore years at La Jolla High, finished with a total of 107 blocks, on 87 assisted blocks.
Gates was one of the lights for UCLA in a 12-8, 21-11 season in 2017.
The Bruins placed third in the Pac-12 during Madeleine's freshman year, 15-5 in conference, 27-7 overall. The team slide over the three years of her career is apparent, though that is not to her discredit.
Sunday, April 21, 2019
LJ VB: Gates to join national champions
By Ed Piper
According to a local source, Madeleine Gates, standout volleyball player from La Jolla High, will join Stanford's national championship team as a graduate transfer after achieving her undergraduate degree at UCLA in three years.
The news comes alongside the selection of Gates, an athletic 6'3" middle hitter-blocker who was a Second Team All-American pick a year ago as a sophomore for the Bruins, for the U.S. National Team of 18-year-olds playing in Italy later this year.
"Joining Stanford, the national champions. Wow!" exclaimed the local source, a member of the La Jolla volleyball community who asked not to be named.
On the 247Sports website, a commenter lamented, "UCLA takes a hit again. (Gates) is their best player."
Under an NCAA rule, a student-athlete who graduates with eligibility remaining can transfer to another institution and play without sitting out a season. This is apparently what Gates, the former All-CIF performer for the Vikings, plans to do for the Cardinal.
According to a local source, Madeleine Gates, standout volleyball player from La Jolla High, will join Stanford's national championship team as a graduate transfer after achieving her undergraduate degree at UCLA in three years.
The news comes alongside the selection of Gates, an athletic 6'3" middle hitter-blocker who was a Second Team All-American pick a year ago as a sophomore for the Bruins, for the U.S. National Team of 18-year-olds playing in Italy later this year.
"Joining Stanford, the national champions. Wow!" exclaimed the local source, a member of the La Jolla volleyball community who asked not to be named.
On the 247Sports website, a commenter lamented, "UCLA takes a hit again. (Gates) is their best player."
Under an NCAA rule, a student-athlete who graduates with eligibility remaining can transfer to another institution and play without sitting out a season. This is apparently what Gates, the former All-CIF performer for the Vikings, plans to do for the Cardinal.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
LJ baseball: Koa Scott's potential to pitch at the next level
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| Koa Scott (right) whoops it up with his Viking teammates following his RBI hit in the fourth inning against Patrick Henry at Petco Park April 12. (Photos by Ed Piper) |
By Ed Piper
After jumping out to a 5-1 record to start the season, with four complete games, La Jolla right-hander Koa Scott has come down to earth a little statistically. But he has still maintained a sparkling 1.48 ERA, holding opposing batters to a weak .196 batting average.
"Koa isn't overpowering, but he hides the ball well and his delivery is deceptive," says his coach, Gary Frank. The junior's delivery reminds one somewhat across sports of Philip Rivers' throwing motion as the Chargers' quarterback, a three-quarter push or sling.
Scott showed good velocity and a very effective approach in the first four innings in the Vikings' game at Petco Park against City League opponent Patrick Henry Fri., April 12. His pitch count was economical, as he dominated Patriot batters, allowing no runs.
But then in the fifth, Henry first baseman Ryan Preciado broke through with a two-run blow, putting the green and yellow into a 3-2 lead. The three-run inning wasn't enough for Frank to pull Scott, as the right-hander went on to complete the six times at bat the Pats had as home team leading in the seventh.
"Koa throws a two-seam fastball, which has a lot of run--in to a right-hander, away from a left-hander," observes Frank. "His curveball and change-up both come out of the identical arm slot as the fastball, which makes it tough for the batter to pick up the change of speeds."
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| Scott, on the Petco mound, checks a runner at first in the loss to the Patriots. He pitched four shutout innings to start the contest and showed poise throughout. |
A real strength is Scott's obvious calm in the heat of battle. On the Petco mound, under the bright lights at the Padres' ballpark, Koa was poised from the beginning. Before the game, he appeared relaxed, unaffected by the major league surroundings.
Tied to this, "He has the confidence to throw any pitch at any time," says his coach.
He did, however, show obvious energy and motivation, returning to the visitors' dugout during the game more than once--including after clubbing an RBI hit in the fourth--yelling to his teammates, "Let's go!" He was vigorously clapping teammates on the back as he did so. Obviously, he's no stick- figure mannequin in the game.
Asked if Scott has the goods to go on in baseball after high school, Frank asserts, "Absolutely. That is his goal. He has exceptional grades, and a big competitive drive.
"He will need to add some velocity to his fastball to be able to pitch at a higher Division 1 school, but he definitely has the make-up to pitch at the next level.
"With his GPA and test scores, he will have a lot of options to find the right fit."
LJ baseball: Austgen, Arman
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| Second baseman Jake Austgen, one of three Viking seniors, acknowledges the crowd during pregame introductions at Petco Park April 12. (Photos by Ed Piper) |
By Ed Piper
Jake Austgen, a second baseman on La Jolla's baseball team, "is one of the more cerebral players on the team," in the estimation of his coach, Gary Frank. Besides being one of the squad's three seniors, "He is very intelligent, attending Northeastern University (in Boston) next fall, and has a very high baseball I.Q.
"He understands the game, and is very coachable," says Frank. "He has very good hands at second base, and is a very intuitive baserunner.
"Jake does a lot of work behind the scenes--making sure the younger and more inexperienced players understand all of our practice drills, and game concepts.
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| Arman Sanchez-Mohit displays his high-kick windup in an early season game at Steele Canyon. |
"He is an invaluable part of our team," concludes his coach.
Arman Sanchez-Mohit "was our primary starting catcher as a junior, and transitioned to more of a pitching role this year as a senior," comments Frank. "He has a good arm, and when he's on, has good control of all three of his pitches."
"He is a great kid and well-respected by his teammates. He is one of our leaders."
LJ baseball: 'Meyo', Baker
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| Junior Johnny Meyerott, inserted as a pinch-runner in La Jolla's game against Henry at Petco Park April 12. Moments before, "Meyo" had asked the second base umpire (right) if he could move for a clearer view to the plate. The umpire replied he couldn't, because he needed a clear view of the plate, too. (Photo by Ed Piper) |
"Johnny Meyerott is one of our social leaders on the team," says La Jolla baseball coach Gary Frank in one of the understatements of the year. Meyerott, who suffered a broken right hand when hit by a pitch early in the season, has had substantial energy during his convalescence to devote to joking, pranking, and even taking "one-handed batting practice," according to his coach.
"To Johnny's credit, he hasn't let the injury slow him down," says Frank. "Meyo" was expecting to be released by his physician to full activity this week (April 15), so he was looking forward to that April 12 in the Vikings' game at Petco Park against Patrick Henry, when he was inserted as a pinch-runner.
"He had a solid sophomore year," says his coach. While being sidelined, "He is at practice every day, and continues to motivate and support all of his teammates.
"He has remained very positive throughout the entire experience."
To sum up, "He has a great, outgoing personality."
Simon Baker, a sophomore, has been splitting time with the varsity and JV's. "He is a natural infielder but played some good outfield for us earlier in the year," says Frank, a second baseman in his playing days. "He will be a big contributor over the next couple of years."
Saturday, April 13, 2019
LJ baseball 2, Patrick Henry 4
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| Viking players had fun doffing their caps when each of their names was announced in pregame introductions at Petco Park. (Photos by Ed Piper) |
In a big night for La Jolla High baseball, the Vikings were sailing through four and a half innings at Petco Park versus Patrick Henry, before the Patriots rallied for three runs in the crucial fifth to garner a 4-2 win and City League bragging rights at the major league home site for the Padres Fri., April 12.
Having warmed up on the impossibly manicured stadium grass, spirits high, La Jolla forged a 2-0 advantage behind RBI blows by Gavin Graff in the top of the first and starter Koa Scott in the fourth.
Scott, the Vikings' ace, fashioned a sharp four innings on the Petco mound, throwing good stuff with accurate location on an efficient pitch count, allowing only a couple of hits by Henry.
But then a big blow by Patriot third-slot hitter Ryan Preciado drove in two runs in the bottom of the fifth and gave Coach Sheldon Watkins' squad a 3-2 lead it would never relinquish.
Howard Frank, father of La Jolla head coach Gary, threw the Vikings' ceremonial first pitch to senior catcher Arman Sanchez-Mohit. A contingent of faithful LJHS students and family members sat behind their team's dugout on the visitors side along the third base line.
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| One Viking asked a teammate during the game, "Is that cool or what to have your name in the line-up on the scoreboard?" |
Shortstop Noah Brown handled the bat well, laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move leadoff batter Blaise Gimber over to second to set up La Jolla's first run.
Left fielder Devin Brown, likewise, did the honors in the fourth to push Luke Brunette into scoring position in time for Scott's RBI single.
Everybody on Gary Frank's varsity roster played a role during the evening, the nightcap of a tripleheader of high school games hosted by the Padres organization in an annual exercise.
The Vikings were last invited to play at Petco three years ago, in a rotational system that CIF employs to give various schools a chance to enjoy the spotlight on the major league field.
La Jolla beat Point Loma, 4-3, in a Western League game at Petco Park in April 2016, when former Yankee lefthander David Wells was the Pointers' head coach.
In that thrilling game, the Vikings scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to come from behind and take the win.
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