PREP VOLLEYBALL: NEW KID ON BLOCK : JOHNSON HAS NICE SERVE, TOO.

Byline: Brian Dalziel Daily News Staff Writer

Wes Johnson has never participated in organized volleyball.

``I've messed around playing at the beach with my brothers and having fun,'' Johnson said. ``But I've never played volleyball.''

With a basic knowledge of the game - ``I know how to rotate, hit and block the ball'' - Johnson walked into Valencia High's gymnasium in mid-February to try out for the varsity volleyball team.

Heck, why not?

Johnson, a 17-year-old senior, had the physical attributes - a 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame - and he was athletic, having been an All-Foothill League goalkeeper on the soccer team and an outfielder in baseball.

So Johnson tested the volleyball waters.

The splash he made was remarkable.

``Me and my assistant (Dennis Newcomb, the junior varsity coach) are looking for people all the time,'' said second-year Valencia coach Kevin Kornegay. ``And most guys that tryout, if they're seniors trying to make the program, you usually frown on them because you opt to take a younger kid; at least they'll be around for a couple years.

``But we had Wes hit some balls and our eyes lit up. He was just pounding them.''

Not only did Johnson make varsity, but he has also earned a starting role as the team's middle blocker.

Coming into the week, Johnson was number one on the team in blocks (51) and serving percentage (97) and was second on the team with a 1.3 blocks-per-game average for the 7-5 Vikings, who have already turned their season around after finishing 2-18 a year ago.

``His numbers this year show his focus and athletic ability,'' Kornegay said. ``I have guys who have been playing for a long time who don't have numbers like that. You can't ask for much more than that from a middle blocker. He's a great addition.''

Heading into his senior season, Johnson thought he would end his athletic career at Valencia when soccer was over. He was fed up with baseball, having played junior varsity last season where he mostly sat the bench.

And turning to another sports was a difficult decision.

``I wasn't sure about volleyball, because I was so burned out on sports,'' Johnson said. ``Mentally and physically I was drained.''

He doesn't know why, but Johnson decided to close out his career with volleyball. Looking back at the February tryout, he has no regrets about his decision.

``I wish I would have played volleyball last year,'' he said. ``The game is so much fun; the whole deal - jumping, blocking and attacking. Plus playing and hanging out with a good group of guys makes it fun, too.''

Everything wasn't so smooth Johnson when he made the transition. For one, he's still learning the ins and outs of blocking and hitting around opposing blocks.

``Against Quartz Hill in the third week of the season, my hands were a little too far apart (on the block), and they smashed a ball that hit me in the face,'' Johnson said. ``I learned my lesson.''

It hasn't happened since, and Johnson continues to work on his game daily.

``I'm still trying to get down the proper techniques of blocking and hitting,'' said Johnson, who holds a 3.5 grade point average. ``Some of these guys who I'm going against are 6-7 and it's hard to hit around them. And they're always roofing me (blocking for a point). But I'm learning.''

Kornegay likes what he sees in Johnson.

``He's unselfish out on the court,'' he said. ``He's out there and is going to do whatever it takes to help the team. He's always worried about the team, and that's a great person to have on the court.''

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PHOTO Wes Johnson, who first became serious about volleyball in February, is Valencia's starting middle blocker.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News