Three Bulldogs earn all-league volleyball honors

By Joe Naiman

The Valley League’s boys volleyball coaches gave all-league recognition to three Ramona players.

Senior outside hitter Josh Spieker was named to the league’s second team. Junior right side hitter Cody Kealy and junior middle blocker Lance Stickney were recognized at the honorable mention level.

“It was good to get Josh second team. He deserved it,” said coach Jeff Klauda.

“I think he was definitely good enough to make the first team, but when you go two and eight in league it’s hard to get somebody on first team.”

Many of the all-league players from the four teams that finished ahead of Ramona in the standings were also outside hitters.

“His position was stacked,” Klauda said.

Despite only earning second-team Valley League honors, Spieker received first-team all-division honors from the CIF Division II coaches.

“The division was pretty tough, too,” said Klauda.

“It was something that Josh had worked really hard to earn,” the coach said of Spieker’s all-division honors.

Klauda noted that part of that was attributable to Spieker’s on-court talent.

“He was by far the most dominating offensive player we had,” Klauda said.

He added that Spieker also took on a leadership role as a senior.

“He took ownership. He took leadership,” Klauda said. “It was very cool to see the growth and development.”