Led by star senior, boys’ volleyball team aims to defend NorCal title

Head Coach: Jason Cardoso

2015-2016 Record: 10-2

2015-2016 Recap: The team won the NorCal D2 Championship at Dublin High School, gaining Saratoga its first NorCal title in volleyball.

Key additions: juniors middle Connor Reyes and outside Jason Tran and sophomore setter/libero Derek Chiou

Star players: seniors outside Joel Schneidmiller and outside/opposite William Hu and junior middle Harrison Fong

Key losses (graduate athletes): Alumni setter Chester Leung, libero Matthew Zung and outside Spencer Yen

League: De Anza

Prognosis:

Going into the season with the CCS win last year under their belt, the team moved up to the harder De Anza league. This season, the Falcons hope to maintain their two-year winning streak even in this harder league.

“Our goals are very high because the last two seasons we have finished really well,” Schneidmiller said. “I hope we win league and win CCS again.”

Schneidmiller towers over the rest of the team as a 6’5” senior who plays for both the Bay to Bay volleyball club team as well as the USA team. He has verbally committed to play volleyball at UC Irvine, a D1 school, in the fall. Schneidmiller leads the team as captain with his overpowering kills and strong blocks and makes the team an automatic contender.    

This season, the boys are going to experiment with new players at new positions because of the loss of their main setter and libero to graduation. They are looking forward to the talent both the new and returning players have to offer.