1993 PREP PREVIEW: BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL : TEAMS TO WATCH : Esperanza

Coach: Kurt Kersten (second year)

1992: 16-3, 10-0 in Empire League; reached Southern Section 3-A championship match, losing in five games to Simi Valley Royal, won second consecutive league title.

Key returners: Mark Alleman, Jr., 6-0, opposite the setter; Brad Goldston, Sr., 6-4, outside hitter; Paul Nihipali, Sr., 6-7, middle blocker; Chris Pitzak, Sr., 6-4, setter.

Key newcomers: Mike Allison, Soph., 6-0, outside hitter; Jeremy Griess, Jr., 6-0, outside hitter; Tyrell Moore, Sr., 6-1, middle blocker; Mike Oliver, Sr., 5-10, outside hitter.

Outlook: Last season some wise-guy sports reporter predicted a young Esperanza team would be swept by powerful Simi Valley Royal in the section championship match. So what do the Aztecs do? They nearly upset Royal before losing in five games. Three all-section players return from last year’s team--Nihipali, who signed with UCLA, Goldston and Pitzak, one of the county’s top setters. The Aztecs are second-ranked in the preseason and likely will be top-seeded for the Orange County Championships March 12-13 at Marina High.