LJ b VB: Great sportsmanship

By Ed Piper

I cover high school sports during a time of turmoil, chaos, unlimited transfers, NIL, holdbacks (19-year-olds playing prep sports), and a whole host of other issues that can sometimes detract from the simple: teenagers learning and growing as they compete in interscholastic sports.

So, on Fri., April 17, I was delighted and dumbfounded to cover a pool-play match in volleyball at Granite Hills in which La Jolla's coach, Dave Jones, played only a "second-string" slate of athletes against an undermanned team of eight--all respect to those eight individuals and their coach--from Mount Miguel, a school not normally known for its acumen in boys volleyball.

After the first game of a best-of-three which the Vikings won fairly easily, Jones stayed with his lineup featuring Hudson Matheny as the primary setter and Dylan Marshall as a featured big man at the net, in the second game even when it got close and then tied, 24-24.

The Vikes ultimately won the pool encounter, 2-0, but it didn't obscure the fact that, in the gracious nature of the sport, and Jones choosing to step into that gracious moment, a team held back its top athletes (many who play club volleyball outside of school) in respect for their opponents, interscholastic competition, and the intent of the sport.

Following on a day earlier in the week on which I covered another team in another sport from another local high school (University City) participating in a service project, I was set up for a fresh, new outlook on covering the local high school sports scene--in which, sometimes, I get jaded or cynical about all the shenanigans that seek to professionalize youth sports.

In that other event, the Centurions' boys lacrosse team met in Old Town to serve the homeless Tues., April 14, in a weekly project that serves the needy in that community. I told some people at the site that it was the first time I have ever covered a high school sports team while they took part in a service project: taking clothing orders for individual clients, serving a burrito meal (which looked pretty appetizing) on a paper plate to seated attendees, and helping make available a coffee bar and haircuts by a barber.

Looking back, I realize that occasion set me up for the positive nature of Friday's game, in which many in the starting rotation stood at the back corner of the court at Granite Hills (day one of a tournament) cheering their teammates on.

I have to say my faith was at least partially restored in the ability of sports to bring out the best in young people, and provide a vehicle to let them use their gifts and abilities to help others, lift them up, encourage, build teamwork...Shine.

Both the volleyball match and the earlier lacrosse service project occurred during the week that included my birthday, which I consider one of the best birthdays in memory.