Los Gatos Weekly-Times | 0410

March 10, 2004 Los Gatos, California Since 1881

Photograph by Sean Penello

Senior outside hitter Fletcher Anderson dives to the floor in an effort to keep the ball alive in volleyball action last week against Oak Grove. Anderson, a returning all-leaguer for the Wildcats, had 10 kills to help Gatos to the win.

Los Gatos going after a CCS boys volleyball championship in 2004

By Dick Sparrer

Matt Lyles isn't pulling any punches—he wants to see his Los Gatos boys volleyball team in the Central Coast Section finals this spring.

And the way Lyles sizes things up, that's just what he expects in the 2004 season.

"We currently have one of the strongest teams in CCS," said Lyles, "not only with our starting six, but with our depth on the bench that can also contribute at a high level."

Because of it, the expectations are high for the Los Gatos squad that posted a 12-0 record a year ago.

"Our 2004 goals are to win at least one tournament that we have entered, win our league and, most importantly, win a CCS title," said Lyles.

Los Gatos will play the first of four tournaments this weekend when the Cats take part in the Aptos Tournament on March 13. The Wildcats will also compete in tournaments at Leland (March 20), Santa Barbara (March 27) and their own Los Gatos Tournament (April 24).

Heading up the cast of talented returners from last year's championship Gatos squad are senior outside hitters Fletcher Anderson and Michael Robards, senior setter Casey Pfeifer and junior middle blocker Sam Moisenco.

Anderson, 6-foot-5, and Pfeifer, 6-foot, were each selected to the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division all-league first-team last spring, and Moisenco, 6-foot-5, won second team honors.

The Wildcats opened the season with a couple of non-league wins, beating Valley Christian 24-26, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 15-12 and Oak Grove 25-19, 25-20 25-22.

Keith Catanese led the Wildcats with 13 kills and Anderson had 10 kills and 12 digs. Pfeifer supported with 33 assists in the win and Rob Couchee came off the bench to provide six assists in the third game of the match.

Moisenco, Robards and Jesse Barron were other key players in the win.

Moisenco was the kill leader in the win over Valley Christian, but it was a kill by Catanese in the fifth and deciding game that helped make Los Gatos a winner over the Warriors.

Moisenco led the squad with 12 kills and Catanese and Anderson added 11 apiece. Drew McDowell had eight kills in the win and Cody Stewart added six.

Pfeifer played another solid match at setter and Barron and Brian Register also played well.

Los Gatos will open the league season at home against Fremont on March 11, 5:30 p.m. junior varsity and 7 p.m. varsity.