Five Newport-Mesa standouts are All-CIF

Corona del Mar High senior Eric Jones and Estancia High junior Josh

Kornegay headline five Newport-Mesa standouts named All-CIF Southern

Section by boys volleyball coaches.

Jones, a 6-foot-7 middle blocker bound for Stanford, is a

first-team honoree in Division II, while Kornegay, a 6-4 opposite, is

a first-team pick in Division III.

CdM senior Bart Welch and Estancia junior Kris Hartwell are

second-team selections in their respective divisions, while Estancia

sophomore Trevor Holmes is a third-team pick.

Jones, the Newport-Mesa Player of the Year and the Co-Player of

the Year in the Pacific Coast League, overcame nagging ankle problems

to lead the Sea Kings to the PCL crown and a berth in the CIF

Division II quarterfinals.

Though he had never played volleyball before high school and

played his first club season after debuting on the varsity as a

junior, Jones captured the fancy of Stanford recruiters, who offered

him a scholarship before his senior prep season began.

Kornegay, a versatile and talented performer who also brought

intangibles to Coach Tracey Heims’ Eagles, led the squad to a share

of the Golden West League title. It was the program’s first league

championship since 1984.

A powerful hitter, who was also among the Eagles’ most skilled

passers, Kornegay helped Estancia reach the CIF Division III

semifinals, when it fell in a five games to San Gabriel.

Welch, a 6-0 outside hitter, also overcame ankle problems to

provide the Sea Kings with seasoned ball control.

Hartwell, a 6-2 outside hitter, was also effective as a hitter and

passer, while Holmes, the Eagles’ setter, helped solidify the attack

as the all-important trigger man.

All but Holmes were All-Newport-Mesa honorees this spring.