2025 San Diego high school boys volleyball preview
Key dates
Section finals: May 15-17
Overview: The semifinalists from the 2024 Open Division lost significant impact players — Torrey Pines’ Christian Connell, Cathedral Catholic’s Ryan Enos, Carlsbad’s Parker Tomkinson and Del Norte’s Ike Vernon have all moved on. Those teams have plenty left to again compete for a championship. The North County Conference is stacked and will be a battle every match.
Defending champions
Open Division: Torrey Pines
Division 1: La Costa Canyon
Division 2: Mission Vista
Division 3: High Tech-San Diego
Division 4: Foothills Christian
Division 5: Lincoln
Division 5-AA: Victory Christian
Defending Player of the Year: Christian Connell, Torrey Pines (now at USC)
Notable: The 31-year championship drought for Torrey Pines ended in dramatic fashion last year with a sweep over rival Cathedral Catholic in the Open championship. The Falcons were ranked as high as sixth in the nation by MaxPreps.com. They’ll lose firepower and leadership in Connell and will need to break in a new setter. But senior Bjorn Hawe is explosive in the middle, sophomore Griffin Dieter may be the area’s top libero and junior Declan Flanagan is 6-foot-7 and still growing. The Dons lose twin big men Ryan Enos (Grand Canyon) and Matthew Enos (Sacred Heart), but return the area’s top setter in Tommy Branson. Carlsbad is again the city of giants. Two years ago, it was 7-footer Wes Smith from La Costa Canyon, now at USC. Last year it was Parker Tomkinson of Carlsbad, close to 7-1 and also at USC. This year it’s Roman Payne, just a hair under 7-foot. He’ll lead the Lancers as the latest big man from the beach city. He’s headed to Hawaii and will lead a cadre of big arms with a chance to hoist the trophy. Del Norte’s Will Bartelt will have something to say about that. The 6-5 senior is one of the top all-around outside hitters in the country. He’s headed to UC San Diego, which also nabbed Granite Hills outside Lathon Fry in its ’25 recruiting class. La Costa Canyon was the No. 6 seed in Division 1 last year and made a magical run to a Division 3 state championship behind recently retired coach Mark Brubaker. St. Augustine, Francis Parker and Bishop’s are young but all will push for a spot in the Open Division. Junior outside Hunter Hamilton has led Foothills Christian to back-to-back championships.
Players to watch
(in alphabetical order)
Owen Adams, St. Augustine, Sr.
Will Bartelt, Del Norte, Sr.
Derek Bashford, Carlsbad, Sr.
Giles Beamer, Bishop’s, Jr.
Bennett Brandenburg, Canyon Crest Academy, So.
Tommy Branson, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.
Lucas Chapman, Classical Academy, Sr.
Andrew Chen, Canyon Crest, Sr.
Brad Chier, Victory Christian, Sr.
Will Denning, Bishop’s, So.
Griffin Dieter, Torrey Pines, So.
Oliver Doty, Carlsbad, Sr.
Declan Flanagan, Torrey Pines, Jr.
Lathan Fry, Granite Hills, Sr.
Henry Garewal, Canyon Crest Academy, Sr.
William Greyson Glorieux, Coronado, Sr.
Bjorn Hawe, Torrey Pines, Sr.
Hunter Hamilton, Foothills Christian, Jr.
Dylan Henry, Mira Mesa, Sr.
Ryan Johnson, Poway, Sr.
Cody Krohn, Mission Vista, Sr.
Jayden Magnin, La Costa Canyon, Sr.
Roman Payne, Carlsbad, Sr.
Dane Roblee, Classical Academy, Sr.
Charlie Salmon, Sage Creek, Sr.
Ben Sauerwine, Carlsbad, Jr.
Matthew Sedano, Francis Parker, Sr.
Owen Shaw, La Costa Canyon, Jr.
Hudson Yockey, Bishop’s, So.
Logan Yockey, Bishop’s, So.
Justin Zhang, Canyon Crest Academy, Sr.
— TIM MEEHAN
