Bear River’s Varsity Boys Volleyball team “set” the school up for glory in their 2019 season.

As a team, Bruins powered through and remained the undefeated champions of the Golden Empire League (GEL). In addition, they also won the Division 3 CIF SJS Section Championships. The team made it as far as finishing in the top four teams of the Northern California State Championship.

Coach John Good expressed his overall thoughts on the season as a whole.

“I am very proud of how this team came together and surpassed all of my expectations,” he said. “… Every individual worked hard to get better this whole season.”

He has had great experience in coaching, as well as playing volleyball himself.

“I have been coaching Bear River Volleyball since 2008,” Coach Good said. “[I have also] been involved with the girls program since then. [I have] coached the Varsity Boys in 2009 and 2010 and the last two years as well. I played for Bear River [in highschool] from 1998-2002, and [for] Chico State University from 2004-2006.”

Along with their coach, many of the players have immense amounts of experience in playing volleyball as well, and the team works well when playing together.

“Our team worked really well together,” said Junior and six-year experienced player Joe Guerra. “We were all friends, so, if one of us messed up, no one got down on each other. We picked each other up all the time, and we just really understood each other’s games, so we knew how to cover each other’s faults and strengthen their strengths.”

“I have been playing volleyball for six years,” said Sophomore Jace Rath. “I am an Outside Hitter, the same position as past years. Our team got along with each other very well. It definitely brought us together more as a team and led to less mistakes.”

Fellow player for six years and Outside Hitter Senior Noah Skowronski expressed his thoughts on how the team worked together during the season.

“We just had a lot of fun,” he said. “It was a great team dynamic.”

The team blended well, and everyone worked incredibly hard. Some individuals were recognized for their achievements.

Coach Good described some of the most prominent players of the volleyball team.

“In the GEL, there are only 12 First Team All League players selected,” he said. “Our team earned 5 of those spots. Sophomore Outside Hitter Jace Rath was the GEL League MVP, led the entire nation in serving aces, had the most kills by a sophomore in the nation, and was named AVCA national player of the week. Sophomore Setter Weston Prosser was voted 1st team All-League as the #1 setter and was the #5 sophomore in the nation in Assists and Aces. Junior Libero Joe Guerra was 1st team All-League as #1 Libero. Junior Opposite Hitter Brad Smith was 1st team All-League, and Senior Noah Skowronski was also 1st team All League.”

With an end to an amazing season, players who are able to do so will be returning for another chance to dominate in next year’s season.