Panthers relying on newcomers to produce net gains
NPHS boys' volleyball squad returns just one varsity player
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SPLIT THE DEFENSE- Newbury Park's Mickey Kelleher, middle, hits a kill through Moorpark's Brian Buck, left, and Kyle Ferguson.

With only one varsity returnee on the roster, the Newbury Park High boys' volleyball team is officially flying under the radar.

What the Panthers- fifthplace finishers in the Marmonte League last season- lack in experience, though, they make up for in talent.

And following a 5-2 start to the season, including a comefrom-behind win at Moorpark in the Marmonte League opener last Friday night, seventh-year head coach Jorge Ostrovsky believes his squad has the necessary ingredients to compete for a playoff spot.

"These guys don't have as much volleyball experience as some of the teams in the Marmonte League," Ostrovsky said. "Our kids are just athletes. They play multiple sports; they don't concentrate on just one sport.

"We're behind the eight-ball a little bit because of our inexperience. But at the same time, we also have very good athletes."

Ostrovsky said most of the current Panthers played together on the junior varsity team, and he hopes the cohesiveness they garnered over the years will translate at the varsity level.

"As JV players they did very well," the coach said. "At the varsity level, however, it's a very different game. It's faster and there are bigger, stronger guys. The competition is always there. There's nobody who isn't good."

Setter Alex Pastucha is the lone returnee, but he will have plenty of help on the floor.

Outside hitters Andrew Wondra and Trevor Willenberg are aggressive at the point of attack. They're joined in the starting lineup by Chad Schmelter, Travis Zeller and freshman libero Kevin Alverez.

Ben Wondra, Tim Wayne and Mickey Kelleher add depth. Wayne and the Wondra brothers, Andrew and Ben, played on the Newbury Park boys' varsity basketball team this season and joined the Panther volleyball squad after preseason practice sessions were already underway.

Despite getting a late start on earlyseason preparations, lefthander Andrew Wondra said he's fitting in well on the court. The team's passing has been sharp, and the hitters have been putting the ball away on a consistent basis, he said.

"Our setter (Pastucha) is a good leader, and we've got guys who work very hard in practice," Andrew Wondra said. "We have some talented young players here, so the future looks good, too."

Wondra said the team usually doesn't discuss long-term goals for the season. Instead, they take things day by day and try not to get too far ahead of themselves.

"We just practice hard and work hard," he said. "We're going to be better this year. That's something I believe."

Thousand Oaks, Royal, Westlake and Simi Valley have been perennial powers in the Marmonte League for years, while Agoura, Calabasas and Moorpark have been good at times, but haven't maintained as much consistency.

Ostrovsky said posting positive results against the Marmonte's upper-echelon teams will allow Newbury Park to join the league's elite.

"We need to steal a match or two from one of the top four teams to qualify for CIF," Ostrovsky said. "That's always been our goal."