Moving on up

Calabasas boys’ volleyball team wants to reach postseason for first time since 2013




SEIZE THE DAY—Calabasas High boys’ volleyball head coach Cory Chandler, who is also the school’s athletic director, talks to his players during practice earlier this week.

SEIZE THE DAY—Calabasas High boys’ volleyball head coach Cory Chandler, who is also the school’s athletic director, talks to his players during practice earlier this week.

Jacob Colson grew up playing baseball.

Colson, now a Calabasas High senior, played for 10 years on Little League and travel teams as a pitcher and first baseman.

During a winter ball game in his freshman year he suffered a partially torn tendon in the right elbow, a devastating injury for a young pitcher. He barely played during the regular season.

The following spring, he decided to give volleyball a shot.

The Coyote made the most of his second chance. He will play volleyball at Cal Lutheran University.

“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything,” Colson said. “I still love baseball, but volleyball is my true passion.”

Colson, a middle blocker, is a co-captain for the upstart Coyotes.

They want to make the playoffs for the second time in program history. Calabasas qualified for the postseason in 2013, winning a CIFSouthern Section Division 1 wild card match against Notre Dame.

The Coyotes, who entered the week with an 11-7 overall record, won its first two Marmonte League matches against Oaks Christian and Thousand Oaks in sweeps. Calabasas has struggled at tournaments but surged to 6-0 in five-set matches entering Wednesday’s showdown against Westlake.

Calabasas is athletic and deep at every position. The young players are finding their niche. When the Coyotes find a rhythm, they run a clean offense, make few errors and pass with dexterity.

“We want to try to win league,” junior opposite Martin Barbosa said. “It’s going to take beating Newbury Park and Westlake.”

Barbosa, a Division I prospect, is one of the best players in the Marmonte.

He hammered a career-high 30 kills in a five-set win at Simi Valley on March 9. Simi Valley, 9-6-1 overall, is one of the top squads in the Coastal Canyon League.

“He is amazing,” sophomore Brendin Chandler said of Barbosa. “Without him in games we tend to struggle a lot.”

This summer, Barbosa helped the Santa Monica Beach Club 17 Adidas team take fifth place in its bracket at the Junior Nationals. He’s improved his defense at the net and general court awareness.

Calabasas is determined to improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish in the league standings.

“Our goal is to be sharp every game,” Barbosa said. “Always play with intensity. Always play with focus. Always play with grit.”

Calabasas will be on spring break next week before returning to the court April 6 against Agoura at home.

Chandler is another talented youngster with aspirations to play Division I volleyball. Chandler, the son of head coach Cory Chandler, is a 6-foot-5 setter who spreads the ball to multiple hitters.

Barbosa said Brendin Chandler is one of the most improved players in the lineup.

Chandler credits his defense for helping him thrive.

“Right now we’re passing phenomenal,” Chandler said. “It helps me out a lot. I don’t have to run as much to get the ball.”

Liam Bonniot, who shares the captaincy with Colson, is a talented senior outside hitter. He is a well-liked teammate.

“He’s a great competitor and a great person,” Colson said of Bonniot.

Strong chemistry has been essential to the Coyotes’ success.

“We’re best friends on and off the court,” Bonniot said. “We know how to joke off the court and take care of business on the court.”

The senior, who played basketball for two seasons, said he and his teammates benefit from talking with a sports psychologist.

“He has definitely helped shape our mindset to be more positive and forward thinking,” Bonniot said. “He’s just trying to help us find ways to always improve and never worry about mistakes.”

Bonniot, who will continue playing volleyball at Santa Monica City College, has been inspired to become a sports psychologist.

The Coyote brings positive vibes to his team.

“I’m excited to hopefully beat teams we could never beat in the past, and beat them the right way— with heart,” Bonniot said. “Just because they have talent doesn’t mean our immense energy and heart can’t overcome them.”

Colson has found his niche at middle blocker, but he’s modest about his success.

“I’m happy I get to contribute every match,” he said.

He’s looking forward to playing volleyball and studying business with an emphasis in sports management at Cal Lutheran.

“It’s a perfect fit for me,” Colson said.

Max Wiviott is a senior libero/ defensive specialist.

The third-year varsity standout said he enjoys playing with the Coyotes.

“I can go to them with anything,” he said. “We have a lot of fun on the court. We always have positive energy.”

Wiviott takes pride playing great defense and delivering strong passes to Chandler.

“If I can give him a perfect pass, he’ll make the right decision,” Wiviott said of his setter.

Wiviott started playing volleyball at Camp Ojibwa in Eagle River, Wis., a sports camp he’s attended for 11 years. He is leaning toward studying sports management at the University of Miami.

Brothers Jack and Lucas Ribarich are dynamic outside hitters/liberos.

Harrison Franz, a junior, has made major strides at middle blocker.

Matthew Fulton and Shane Egerstrom are the only freshmen on the varsity roster. Fulton patrols outside hitter. Egerstrom suits up at middle blocker.

Khristian Fortson is an inspirational player, according to Cory Chandler. Fortson, a senior outside hitter, has major hops.

“He can fly,” the coach said of Fortson. “He brings a really good attitude.”

Amir Kalantary is a 6-foot- 7 junior middle blocker. Jakob Mandel is a senior setter/defensive specialist.

Chandler said this is one of the most enjoyable teams he’s coached in 20 years.

“They’re a very fun team, very energetic,” he said.

Before Chandler took over the team six years ago, the Coyotes struggled. That’s now ancient history.

“We’re not the cellar anymore,” Chandler said. “Our goal is always to win league. Our league is hard all the time. We really want to get in the playoffs.”


SET IT UP—Calabasas sophomore setter Brendin Chandler is one of the top young players in the Marmonte League.

SET IT UP—Calabasas sophomore setter Brendin Chandler is one of the top young players in the Marmonte League.

TWISTED—Calabasas senior co-captain Liam Bonniot elevates for a kill. He will continue playing volleyball at Santa Monica College.

TWISTED—Calabasas senior co-captain Liam Bonniot elevates for a kill. He will continue playing volleyball at Santa Monica College.

 

 

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