OC North/South All-Star Match: Behind the Mic

Family, friends and fans of 'Eater Volleyball,

This last Friday night (June 1), I had the great opportunity once again to announce the 30th Annual Dave Mohs Memorial North/South Orange County High School All-Star Match at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, CA. With this, as I always do I had the great opportunity to get a sneak peak at the talent coming in to play v-ball at UC Irvine. Last year I saw Cory Yoder, Kenny Webster and Kevin Wynne playing in this same match and 3 years before them, I saw tall, lanky 6'5" OH, from Yorba Linda and Esperanza High School named Jayson Jablonsky and a 6'3" S from San Clemente named Brian Thornton-- two incredible players who are All-Americans and NCAA Champions!

On the girl's/women's side, Kari Pestolesi, daugther of IVC Head Men's Volleyball Coach, Tom Pestolesi, played on the North Squad that handily defeated the South, 3-0. K-Pesto is a 6'0" OH from Edison High School with a keen sense for playing the game. K-Pesto was the complete package for the North, blocking balls, swinging with authority, passing hybrids, jumps and float serves, and digging like only Asuka can (Sake, I had to mention you)! Her effort was noticed by the media/press on hand as they selected her as the MVP on the girl's/women's side.

On the boy's/men's side, two future 'Eaters were on the North Squad that pummeled the South emulating the women's match-- the 6'6" MH from Esperanza, Bryce Danker, and the 6'4" OH from Los Alamitos, Kevin Carroll. Danker was dominant at the net and threw up some tough jump serves, however the sets he saw did not bring out the best in his game (being that I saw him the previous weekend at the CIF Championships). Carroll on the other hand passed confidently and hit the leather off of the ball. He jumps and swings like a wrecking ball was slung off of his shoulder. Carroll's performance garnered him the MVP of the Boy's/Men's match-- making it a future-eater sweep of the MVP honors of the All-Star matches!

I've got a feeling that we'll be hearing quite a bit more from all of the future 'Eaters!

Robonthemic