DOWNEY - The Warren High School boys' volleyball team finished the regular season with an impressive overall record of 26-3 and a league record of 10-0.Perhaps what is more impressive than the record(s) is the fact that the Bears have secured the number one seed for the upcoming Division III playoffs. Warren defeated then top ranked South Torrance two weeks ago at the Redondo Classic Tournament to secure that top seed. Warren was on the hunt last year for a C.I.F. title when they made an unexpected early exit. The recent victory over South Torrance now makes the Bears the hunted. What makes the number one seed so important for the Bears is that both the second seed South Torrance and the third seed Burbank Burroughs are in the other bracket. This means Warren may only face one of these teams and it wouldn't be until the championship match. Warren started their run to the Division III title Tuesday when they faced the winner of the Arcadia/La Mirada match which was played on Monday. Warren defeated Arcadia in straight sets and faced Morro Bay Thursday night (score unavailable at press time). Camarillo is seeded fourth, cross-town rival Downey is seeded fifth and El Segundo is seeded sixth to round out the top six seeds, respectively. Warren assistant coach Chris Hoodye said that this team has really come together. According to Hoodye, this team has sacrificed all season and has worked hard at improving each week. Joshua Nehls, Nick Alvarez, Dean Kendall, Alfonso Mata, Cristian Cuevas and libero Brian Oh continue to play well and improve. Hoodye continued by saying that Nick Alvarez has become the emotional leader of this team and his leadership has really emerged as the Bears start their playoff run. The Bear boys' volleyball team is hoping to become the third C.I.F champion Warren has produced this year, with girls' water polo and boys' wrestling being the other two. Certainly Coach Simons and his team are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead as they start their playoff run.

********** Published: May 10, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 04