ALL-COUNTY BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM 2024
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sterling Foley, Corona del Mar, Senior
The preseason talk was that Corona del Mar’s Sterling Foley was the best player in Orange County high school boys volleyball.
That’s plenty of pressure to have to live up to that, but Foley didn’t have any problems meeting those expectations.
He led the Sea Kings to a share of the Surf League championship and helped his team get to a win away from playing in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game.
During the regular season, Corona del Mar beat CIF-SS Division 1 finalist Mira Costa, CIF-SS Division 3 champion St. Margaret’s, Mater Dei, Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach. The Sea Kings finished 24-8 overall, including the playoffs, while playing a daunting schedule.
Corona del Mar’s Sterling Foley, left, battles Tesoro’s Henry Utterback, right, during the game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro’s Mana Carreira, readies to shoot over Corona del Mar’s, Sterling Foley, left, and Ryan Gant, right, during the game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Sterling Foley slams the ball over the Tesoro defense in the game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s, Sterling Foley battles Tesoro’s Henry Utterback, left, during their game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s, Sterling Foley, right, blocks a shot by Tesoro’s Mana Carreira, left, during the game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s, Sterling Foley winds up to shoot over Tesoro’s Henry Utterback, right, during the game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Sterling Foley, left, shoots over Tesoro’s Gage Williams-Whitney, center, and Henry Utterback,right, during the game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s, Sterling Foley emphasizes a shot over the Tesoro defense during the game between Tesoro vs. Corona del Mar in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs at Corona del Mar High School on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Sterling Foley hits the ball over the net against Huntington Beach in a Surf League boys volleyball game in Newport Beach on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Sterling Foley is a returning All-Orange County/All-CIF boys volleyball player at Corona del Mar. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Sterling Foley is a returning All-Orange County/All-CIF boys volleyball player at Corona del Mar. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Sterling Foley is a returning All-Orange County/All-CIF boys volleyball player at Corona del Mar. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
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“He was instrumental in all of our match successes,” said Corona del Mar coach Katey Thompson.
Foley, a 6-foot-6 senior who signed with USC, led the Sea Kings in kills with 462. He also contributed 44 blocks, 85 digs and 34 service aces.
Foley said that beyond the team’s wins and his big points in them he will always remember how the Sea Kings came together to pursue their goals.
“It was great how the younger guys on the team played for us seniors,” Foley said. “They worked so hard in the gym. You could see how much they wanted to get better.”
The bigger the match, the better Foley would play.
Foley led Corona del Mar with 25 kills in the Sea Kings’ first match of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, a three-set sweep of Tesoro.
He was good in losses, too. Corona del Mar and Mira Costa were 2-0 in CIF Southern Section Division 1 pool play when they played each other May 4 at Mira Costa High, with the winner advancing to the Division 1 championship match. Foley did his part with a team-high 19 kills but Mira Costa won in four sets.
In Corona del Mar’s next match, a first-round match in the CIF Southern California Regional Division I playoffs, Foley led the Sea Kings with 27 kills, eight digs and two blocks as they beat Surf League rival Huntington Beach in five sets.
Thompson said Foley did more than just deliver points for the Sea Kings.
“His knowledge of the game and his leadership made him a standout player for us,” she said.
Foley said he has much work to do before he begins playing at USC.
“I’m going to keep grinding,” he said. “Playing every day is huge. No breaks between now and fall training camp.”
Foley is on the USA Volleyball men’s U21 national team.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bob Yoder, St. Margaret’s
Bob Yoder led St. Margaret’s to the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship. The Tartans swept San Clemente in three sets in the 3 final at Cerritos College.
St. Margaret’s swept all five of its CIF-SS playoff opponents.
“To go 3-0 in every match throughout the playoffs was something,” said Yoder, 68. “We were at peak performance in the playoffs.”
In the CIF Southern California Regional Division II playoffs, St. Margaret’s advanced to the championship match in which they lost to Redondo in five sets.
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
Kaumana Carreira, Tesoro, Sr.
Sterling Foley, Corona del Mar, Sr. (Player of the Year)
Brogan Glenn, Corona del Mar, Jr.
Riggs Guy, Newport Harbor, Sr.
Jake Pazanti, Huntington Beach, Sr.
Tyler Robinson, Mater Dei, Sr.
Ethan Saint, Santa Margarita Sr.
Kai Schmitt, San Clemente, Sr.
Reed Wainwright, St. Margaret’s, Sr.
Ben Winokur, Edison. Sr.
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
Jack Berry, Newport Harbor, Jr.
Nick Ganier, Huntington Beach, Jr.
Ryan Gant, Corona del Mar, Sr.
Jack Loper, San Clemente, Jr.
Eli McGhee, Mater Dei, Sr.
Luke Morrison, Beckman, Jr.
Eamon Rigdon, Servite, Sr.
Grayson Springborn, Newport Harbor, Sr.
Trent Taliaferro, JSerra, Sr.
Chase Wallin, Santa Margarita, Fr.
ALL-COUNTY THIRD TEAM
Owen Banner, Edison, Sr.
Jackson Cryst, Sage Hill, Jr.
Aidan Dubno, Huntington Beach, Sr.
Jette Estes, Los Alamitos, Sr.
Beckett Harvey, St. Margaret’s, So.
Thomas Ho, Fountain Valley, Sr.
Gavin Looney, Beckman, So.
Braedon Marquardt, Canyon, Sr.
Cooper Truong, Servite, Sr.
Will Whidden, San Clemente, Sr.
ALL-COUNTY FOURTH TEAM
CJ Addison, Edison, Sr.
Brooks Ignosci, Santa Margarita, Jr.
Aidan McMahon, St. Margaret’s, Jr.
Connor Musalo, University, Sr.
Dyllan Nguyen, Marina, Sr.
Max Smith, El Dorado, Sr.
Henry Utterback, Tesoro, Sr.
Sam Utu, Orange Lutheran, So.
Andy Vo, Bolsa Grande, Sr.
Matt Wheels, Mater Dei, Sr.
