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Coaches select 4 Bulldogs for volleyball all-league

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The Valley League boys volleyball coaches who selected the all-league teams included four Ramona High School players for recognition.

Isaiah Spieker was chosen for the Valley League first team, Davis Windes received second-team distinction, and honorable mention accolades went to Calvin Harris and Taylor Holas.

“It was nice that we were able to get four guys on there,” said coach Jeff Klauda.

Escondido won the Valley League championship and was undefeated in league play. The Cougars had three players on the first team and one on the second team. San Pasqual, which placed second, had a player apiece on the first team and second team.

Ramona’s 6-4 league record gave the Bulldogs third place in the league standings.

Escondido outside hitter Mario Lucas was selected the league’s most valuable player, but Spieker was also a unanimous choice for the first team.

“All I had to do was bring up his name,” Klauda said. “He had a great season. He had a real good senior year.”

Spieker was Ramona’s setter and was on the court for every point during the season. His 660 assists for the season equate to approximately 6.5 per game.

“He spread the ball around very well, made good decisions,” Klauda said.

Spieker also had 104 kills and a .200 hitting percentage.

“He was just a competitor. He would find a way to get it done,” Klauda said.

Last year Ramona had five all-league selections including three seniors. Spieker and middle blocker Trevor Johnson received honorable mention designation in 2014. Johnson was hampered by injuries this year.

Isaiah Spieker thus became the third Spieker brother to receive first-team or second-team league honors as a senior. Josh Spieker received second-team league honors as a senior in 2013. Stephen Spieker was the 2008 Valley League player of the year as well as a first-team selection.

“It was really neat because he’s the last of the Spieker boys to come through,” Klauda said. “That’s a pretty neat honor for their family.”

Windes broke his hand in an April 2014 tournament match and missed the last six league games of his junior season. This year he was healthy for the entirety of the Bulldogs’ schedule and led the team with 274 kills.

Klauda also cited Windes’ defense.

“He was very consistent with his serve-receive all year,” Klauda said.

Windes and Spieker were team captains. Windes was able to direct players on the court to proper positions and to keep his teammates calm, said Klauda.

“Davis made sure that our guys’ focus was in the right spot,” Klauda said. “I didn’t have to call time out.”

Windes is also a senior, as are all but one of the league’s first-team and second-team players.

“It was a very senior-laden all-league team,” Klauda said.

Holas is a senior who played libero for the Bulldogs.

“Taylor had a solid senior year,” Klauda said. “He had a nice finish to the year.”

Harris, a junior who played middle blocker, had no previous volleyball experience.

“He learned pretty quick,” Klauda said.

Ramona’s overall season record of 16-20 includes a first-round CIF Division I playoff win at St. Augustine and a quarterfinal playoff loss at Escondido.

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