BOYS' VOLLEYBALL NOTEBOOK: LANCASTER PRESENTS NEW THREAT.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

Every season, as the Highland High boys' volleyball team goes about its business of winning a Golden League title, one other league team makes noise about how it will challenge the Bulldogs.

That team has been Quartz Hill the past few years. And it still might be, provided the Rebels put things together and don't lose anymore before they face Highland for the first time April 17.

For now, however, there's a new team mounting the challenge: Lancaster.

By beating Quartz Hill 15-11, 8-15, 15-11, 15-11 last week, the Eagles (7-2, 2-0) put themselves in position to meet Highland with first place on the line. That match is April 12 at Lancaster.

The Eagles' athleticism and power proved too much for Quartz Hill. Chris Morris had eight kills in his first eight attempts and finished with 19 kills.

``He's been that consistent all year,'' coach Blake Stanford said. ``He was all-tournament at the Arcadia tournament.''

Also, Ryan Robertson had nine kills and helped with Lancaster's passing attack. And Tony Basagno, who was a nonfactor early, helped out on the block and with his passing.

Stanford wasn't there to witness the victory. He had left in the third game to be with his wife, who is Jewish and celebrates Passover. Assistant coach Will Wallace called during the seder to give the good news.

Days later, Quartz Hill coach Justin Harris couldn't believe the outcome.

``I'm still in shock,'' he said. ``It's the first league game I've lost in four years, other than Highland.''

And yet, this outcome could have been foretold. The Rebels (3-6, 1-1) have struggled with consistency all season and Harris knew Lancaster had gone five games with Canyon.

Against Lancaster, adjusting was a problem. Sophomore Scott Simons set too many balls too far off the net, and the hitters weren't able to change their approach or arm swing to compensate. The result: 15 hitting errors in the four games.

Harris implored his team to stop serving Basagno, yet the players continued, and Basagno didn't err in receiving the serves, Harris told his blockers to set up on Morris and cut off his angle, and they didn't.

``They listen and say, 'Yes, I'll do it,' but then they make bad decisions on the court,'' Harris said.

--Highland's take: It doesn't matter to Highland coach Tom Jones which team challenges the Bulldogs. He just wants one. Highland has won 11 of 12 Golden League titles.

``It really is no fun if we roll through it,'' Jones said.