DOWNEY - The Downey High School boys' volleyball team has gotten off to a 4-0 start after recently competing in the Redondo Tournament where they finished second in their pool and ninth overall.The Vikings started league play at Warren on Thursday and are looking to surpass last year's 10-8 overall record and 7-3 league mark. The Vikings return several key players. Patrick Waters returns for another season with more experience and skill as do former East Knights Garrett Neilan and Matt Lostetter. Bryan Bonilla also returns and has switched positions from libero last year to assume the role of setter this year. Coach Rand maintains that Bryan has done an outstanding job making this change. Coach Rand further said that the team has not missed a beat and the offense continues to run well with Bonilla as setter. The Vikings key loss to graduation from last year's squad was Eugene Laporte. As previously mentioned, the Vikings will open league play at Warren on Thursday and follow that with a game at Gahr on Tuesday and will host Paramount next Thursday. The Vikings will then travel to Dominguez on April 3 and host Lynwood on April 5. The Vikings will participate in the Kennedy Tournament on April 14. The Downey High volleyball team certainly will be busy in the weeks to come. Coach Rand and his players are looking forward to the challenge and competing at the highest level they can.

********** Published: March 22, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 49