Patriots reign supreme
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers VICTORY IS OURS!- Viewpoint School boys' volleyball coach Mike Talamantes celebrates with the Patriot players after winning the Division V title at Cerritos College on Saturday.

Whoever coined the phrase "Nobody is perfect" must not have seen the boys' volleyball team at Viewpoint School this season.

Viewpoint was unblemished during the playoffs, winning all 12 of its games en route to a third straight CIFSouthern Section Division V championship. Last Saturday at Cerritos College, the Patriots defeated the Salesian High Mustangs 25-17, 25-8 and 25-20 to claim yet another CIF plaque.

"I just can't believe what we've done," Viewpoint head coach Mike Talamantes said. "To win it all is great, but to do it by not dropping one game is unbelievable."

Talamantes said the team peaked at the right time, which was all a part of his plan.

"We played well during the season, but I decided to install a different style of play in the postseason and especially in the championship game," Talamantes said.

"We used our biggest opposite against their middle blocker, and that really worked well for us. It was great because we hadn't played that style yet, so nobody was able to watch it on film and prepare for us."

Leading the Patriots' attack was Talamantes' younger brother, Matt, a senior who was playing in his final game for VHS.

In the first game Matt Talamantes came out on fire by throwing down four consecutive kills to break an 8-8 tie and give Viewpoint a 12-8 lead. Overall, the younger Talamantes had eight kills and served two aces in the opening game.

"I actually didn't feel that good before the game started," Matt Talamantes said. "I was very nervous knowing this was my last game. I have a pregame ritual where I warm up by listening to music, basically any rock music that is loud.

"After that I really started taking some good swings at balls in warm-ups. I then hit a short shot for a kill in the first game and tried my best to mix it up on my hits the rest of the way."

While Talamantes showed a variety of skills with his thundering hits over the net as well as his soft rolls, the second game belonged to senior Julian Nagendran.

Nagendran had six kills in Game 2, helping spark a 7-0 run to put Viewpoint up 18-6. Viewpoint then put together a 6-0 run, and when Salesian missed a serve the Patriots were up two games to none.

"The first game I was really nervous and stiffer than I usually am," Nagendran said. "After the first game I just came out swinging high on balls, and everything just seemed to fall into place after that. It means so much to me to win the championship in my final game at Viewpoint."

While Nagendran continued to play well in the third game by adding four kills, Matt Talamantes also saved his best for last.

The Newbury College-bound senior served two aces and had eight kills in the third game, including the title-clinching kill that snuck just inside the right corner.

After the match, Matt Talamantes described what it felt like to win with his 28-year-old brother at the helm.

"It's the best thing in the world you can do with a family member, I think," the younger Talamantes said. "There was no way I wanted to lose this final game of my senior year with my brother coaching."

Coach Talamantes echoed his younger brother's statements.

"It was real emotional for me out there, and I had to take a second to reflect," Coach Talamantes said. "He has played volleyball and basketball for me the last three years, and this was the final time he would be playing for me. It meant a lot."

Coach Talamantes also said he will miss coaching Nagendran.

"I've gotten to know Julian a lot the last couple years and it seems that he is also part of my family now," Talamantes said. "I have no idea how we are going to win next year without him."

Alex Warren also played in his final game for the Patriots.