Strickland’s Return Bodes Well for Harvard-Westlake’s Outlook

STUDIO CITY —  What a strange place it was for Harvard-Westlake High, looking up at the rest of the Mission League and watching teams win, have fun and do the sort of thing the Wolverines usually do.

A season-ending injury to their top player led to a reshuffled lineup and several unexpected losses--and their first season without a league title since 1985.

Billy Strickland, a 6-foot-9 outside hitter who has signed with Stanford, has returned from a broken bone in his left foot that forced him to miss all but the first three matches last season.

“Not to say I wasn’t happy last year, but I think I enjoy each day a little more because it can be taken away so quickly,” Strickland said. “I think I’m having a lot more fun.”

With it comes more responsibility. Despite his size, the agile Strickland, along with 6-2 outside hitter Jon Katz, will be a primary passer for Harvard-Westlake.

“It’s tough to serve him off the court,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Jess Quiroz said. “He’s got the reach. One step and he’s there.”

Will Curtis, a 6-5 senior who has also signed with Stanford, anchors the middle along with 6-5 senior Josh Kwellar.

The only real debate is deciding who will set the ball. The 5-11 Steven McNiel is a strictly business type, and 6-0 David Krakow is an emotional leader on the court.

The Wolverines remember the not-so-high points of last season, including, but not limited to, losing both matches to league-rival Loyola and getting swept by Mira Costa in the second round of the Southern Section playoffs.

“I think they’re all hungry,” Quiroz said.

And talented.

“How many teams can boast two top-five Division I players on their team?” asked Crespi Coach Alvin Lamarre. “They and Loyola are one-two in my book.”

Harvard-Westlake plays Loyola twice during the regular season in matches that likely will decide the Mission League championship.

It wouldn’t be a complete surprise if they met one more time after that for another, more prestigious championship.

Meanwhile, Loyola has Stanford-bound Curt Toppel, a 6-8 middle blocker, and a strong supporting cast in 6-5 opposite John Selgrath and 6-5 middle blocker John Beckwith.

Toppel was inconsistent at times last season, but has found his focus.

“He had two options this year,” said first-year Loyola Coach Mike Boehle. “One was to say, ‘I’m signed, sealed and delivered and I’m going to Stanford and I don’t care about the rest of the season.’

“The other was to come in and help everybody win a [Division I] title. He’s out there to prove he’s as good as they say he is.”

Other teams to watch in the region:

* Royal: The Highlanders are favored to win a ninth consecutive Marmonte League title. Cam Dickson, a 6-4 middle blocker with impressive leaping ability, and Ryan Moberly, a 6-5 outside hitter who has committed to Brigham Young, are a dynamic duo.

* Quartz Hill: The tallest team in the region is also one of the most skilled. The Rebels will try to defend their Golden League title with Brandan Butchart, a 6-4 outside hitter, and twin-tower middle blockers Jared Coperning (6-10) and Sahael Almuallem (6-9).

* Granada Hills: After a rebuilding year, the Highlanders could challenge Palisades for the City Section title. A nucleus of eight seniors, including 6-3 outside hitter Mike Aleman and 6-4 middle blocker Chris Martin, give the Highlanders a chance to repeat their City championship of 1997.

* Thousand Oaks: The Lancers have a new coach, former Royal assistant Tom Black, and a new attitude. Setter Josh Raymond and 6-6 middle blocker Jack Parmalee are two of six senior starters, but it remains to be seen whether the Lancers can beat Royal.

* Alemany: With the best setter in the region, 6-4 Richard Nelson, the Indians could be a factor in the rugged Mission League. Not to be overlooked: Alemany split with Loyola last season.

* Taft: Joe Nargi, The Times’ 1998 regional player of the year, has graduated, but 6-5 middle blocker Mike Gledhill, a junior left-hander, is a capable go-to player. The 1998 City 4-A runners-up will battle Granada Hills and Chatsworth for the Northwest Valley Conference title.

* Highland: In the unusual position of not winning a league title last year, the Bulldogs will challenge Quartz Hill in the Golden League with 6-3 middle blocker Rick Haight and setter Jody Shadrick.

* Crespi: Outside hitter Marcin Jagoda and opposite hitter Jon Bird are the only returning starters for the Celts, who tied Loyola for the Mission League title last season.

* Monroe: The Vikings won the City 3-A Division championship last year and, with 6-5 Jose Sanchez in the middle, are the favorites to win the Valley Pac-8 Conference title.