VOLLEYBALL NOTEBOOK: CANYON OVERCOMES PLENTY TO REACH PLAYOFFS.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Despite everything that happened this year to the Canyon High boys' volleyball team - the ineligible player and the resulting eight forfeits, the crippling ankle injury to standout John Murray, and the constant juggling to secure gym time for practice and matches - the Cowboys just kept hanging in there.

And somehow they made it work.

So much so that Canyon nudged into the Southern Section Div. II playoffs, giving the Cowboys a chance to end a roller-coaster year on a positive note.

``More than anything, (making the playoffs) just validates everything this team did to stay focused and remain positive despite all the problems they encountered,'' Canyon coach Dave Gutierrez said. ``I'm proud of the way these guys kept their heads up and stayed with it. It's sort of the characteristic I'm the most proud of with these players.''

Canyon (13-12) overcame a lot to reach the postseason. The trouble started when standout outside hitter Murray suffered a severe ankle sprain during the championship match of the Las Vegas tournament midway through the season, knocking him out of six matches.

Shortly after, the Cowboys learned Alemany of Mission Hills transfer Joe Papadopoulos was not properly cleared to play, making him ineligible for the eight matches in which he played. Canyon immediately reported the paperwork error to the Southern Section and had to forfeit the eight victories in which Papadopoulos competed.

In addition, Canyon had to scramble all season to find sufficient gym time for matches and practices because its home gym is getting a face lift. The Cowboys sometimes practiced at 5:30 a.m. at a local middle school, and they split their home matches among three sites.

``It got to a point this season where instead of getting mad at bad stuff that happened, we'd just laugh about it,'' Gutierrez said. ``You have to have a good sense of humor about stuff like this. Otherwise, you'll go nuts.''

The focus has turned to the playoffs and trying to extend the season a few more matches. Canyon opens at 7 p.m. Friday at Righetti of Santa Maria.

``Now that we're here, we want to stick around as long as possible,'' Gutierrez said.

Long layoff: By the time Valencia steps on the court again for a match, more than two weeks will have passed since it last played.

Valencia, the two-time defending Div. II champion, received a bye through Friday's first round and opens the postseason Tuesday against University of Irvine or Highland of Palmdale.

Vikings coach Mark Knudsen isn't too concerned about his team losing an edge during the time off. Just in case, he'll put them through intense workouts this week in practice, mostly focusing on simulating potential opponents.

``We'll get as much information on our opponents, then put a team on the court that looks like them and scrimmage,'' Knudsen said.

Valencia won't just focus on Highland or University. The Vikings also will gather information on Laguna Beach, a likely quarterfinal opponent.

Vincent Bonsignore, [phone]

vincent.bonsignore(at)dailynews.com