All-Gazette volleyball: Boys

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

All-Gazette volleyball: Boys

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Dan Gross⁄The Gazette

The 2007 All-Gazette Boys Volleyball first team. Kneeling (left to right): Jeff Young, Benjamin Hollies, Paul Pang, Armando Rosso; standing: Player of the Year Ryan Mullsteff, Jay Chang, Neal Muradymov, Tommy Young, Mik Berzins, Jeff Moy and Coach of the Year Pete Siarkas.

Coach of the Year

Pete Siarkas, Sherwood, first year with boys, second year with coed; In first year coaching both boys and coed, guided Warriors to county titles in both. Led boys to three-game sweep over Rockville in final, and coed to win over previously unbeaten Damascus.

Player of the Year

Ryan Mullsteff, Damascus, Junior, Outside hitter; Powerful, 6-foot-2 jumping jack emerged as one of county’s best hitters in years, helping Damascus go undefeated entering coed county championship match before runner-up finish.

*Mik Berzins, Sherwood, Jr., Outside hitter; Talented and versatile, his preaseason switch from coed to boys helped latter squad to first-ever county championship.

*Jay Chang, Blair, Sr., Outside hitter; Last year’s Player of the Year couldn’t lead Blair boys to county three-peat, but his power in middle was as formidable as ever for the Blazers.

*Benjamin Hollies, Rockville, Sr., Outside hitter; Big, tall presence carried Rams attack, leading boys to Cinderella season and appearance in county championship game.

*Neal Muradymov, Paint Branch, Sr., Middle hitter; At 6-foot-8 with agility and build of an offensive lineman, Muradymov buoyed Panther coeds to perfect regular season.

*Jeff Moy, Sherwood, Sr., Setter; Generally regarded as best setter in county, set table perfectly for many talented hitters on Warrior boys’ title squad.

*Paul Pang, Wootton, Sr., Setter; Made up for any lack of size with superb digging and passing abilities, turning in consistent standout performances for Patriot boys.

*Armando Rosso, Churchill, Sr., Setter; Irreplaceable cog in lineup for Bulldog team that racked up nine regular-season victories.

*Jeff Young, Kennedy, Sr., Middle hitter; Teamed with second-team setter Oliver Wong to form one of most lethal one-two punches in county for Cavalier boys.

*Tommy Young, Sherwood, Jr., Middle hitter; Flawless in middle all season for coeds, including several blocks of Mullsteff in Warriors’ county championship victory.

Honorable mention

*Zack Koval, Gaithersburg, Sr., Outside hitter

*Jeff Lui, Paint Branch, Sr., Setter

*Brendan Murray, Blake, Sr., Outside hitter

*Victor Silva, Walter Johnson, Jr., Middle hitter

*David Shui, Rockville, Jr., Outside hitter

*Chris Wisor, Sherwood, Sr., Middle hitter

*Oliver Wong, Kennedy, Sr., Setter

*Pat Young, Sherwood, Sr., Middle hitter