Merced High junior named volleyball MVP after leading Bears to perfect run to CCC title
The Merced High boys volleyball team cruised to a perfect 12-0 record on their way to a Central California Conference championship.
Leading the way was junior Max Phong as a setter and outside hitter.
Phong was the CCC coaches choice as conference Most Valuable Player.
“When we played other teams they tried to stop No. 12 (Phong),” said Merced coach Joel Garcia, who was also named the CCC Coach of the Year. “That freed up our other hitters.”
Garcia said Phong has emerged as a leader on the team the past two seasons, leading the Bears to back-to-back championships. Merced has gone 18-0 the past two years.
“His vision of the court is amazing,” Garcia said. “He’s able to read hitters, read the block as a setter and outside hitter. When he’s hitting he can see the double block and tip the ball or hit the ball around the block.”
“He just has a great understanding of the game,” Garcia added. “He’s able to give our hitters outstanding sets even if the passes are a little off.”
El Capitan senior Christian Her was named the CCC Offensive Player of the Year. Gauchos teammate David Lee Hernandez was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Her and Lee Hernandez helped lead El Capitan to a second-place finish at 10-2 in the CCC with both losses coming against Merced.
Buhach Colony sophomore Felix Chang was named the Setter of the Year.
Joining Phong, Her, Lee Hernandez and Chang on the all-CCC first team were Yajnesh Kumar (Central Valley), Marcus Moua (El Capitan), Mateo Tangaan (Golden Valley), Julius Burelson (Merced), Richard Chang (Merced) and George Ruiz (Patterson).
The second team selections were Isiah Vang (Buhach Colony), Anthony Hermosillo (El Capitan), Davis Rowan (Golden Valley), Emier Sheppard (Golden Valley), Jaden Xiong (Merced) and Kinilo Sumait (Patterson).
Receiving honorable mentions were Manuel Vidrio (Atwater), Amir Salam (Buhach Colony), Bernardo Pulido (Central Valley), Nathan Her (El Capitan), Joey Spielman (Golden Valley), Jaylen Thao-Booth (Merced) and Jaiden Jacob (Patterson).
The all-Sportsmanship selections were Andrew Demello (Atwater), Gabriel Zamarripa (Buhach Colony), Guillermo Garibay (Central Valley), Nathan Helms (El Capitan), Ricardo Perez (Golden Valley), Eiken Xiong (Merced) and Jonny Hernandez (Patterson).
