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The boys volleyball coach of the year is Isaac Owens of Esperanza.
The boys volleyball coach of the year is Isaac Owens of Esperanza.
Damian Calhoun. Sports Newsroom Assistant.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Defending the CIF-SS Division 2 title wasn’t an easy task for the Esperanza boys volleyball team and Coach Isaac Owens.

The season started with a giant question mark, as the Aztecs were without Jake Arnitz because of a back injury. The Register’s player of the year in 2013 didn’t play his first match until April 9.

Along the way, several other key pieces for the Aztecs – Kevin Sowski, Ryan Ozenbaugh, Will Hastings and Ryan Heller – dealt with injury issues. Through it all, Owens kept the Aztecs focused on their goals, and they finished the season by winning their second consecutive CIF-SS Division 2 title.

For his leadership and guidance through the season, Owens has been selected the Register’s Coach of the Year.


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This was the fourth CIF title for Owens at Esperanza (2002, ’07, ’13, ’14). He called it the most special of them all.

“It was so tiresome having to deal with all of the injuries,” Owens said. “We had to go play at San Marcos (in the semifinals) and they’re looking for revenge, and we had so many kids play well in front of a huge crowd.

“Then to come back against Laguna Beach (after having lost to them in the regular season) and beat them in five in the CIF finals, that was special and it says a lot about our program, the players and the coaching staff.”

Owens added: “We always talk about trust the players and trust the coaches. I told them after we lost to Laguna Beach that they needed to trust that I’m going to do what’s right for us as a team.”

A couple of lineup changes were made and the Aztecs were on their way to the CIF title. After that, they advanced the CIF SoCal Regional final, for the second year in a row, but lost to Corona del Mar in five sets.

This season holds a special place for Owens. He announced this week that it will be his last as coach of the boys program. He coached the boys for 13 years, compiling an overall record of 281-115.

In the last four years, the Aztecs have gone 48-0 in the Century League.

He will continue coaching the school’s girls team.

“Looking back, when you have success it became easier and easier to coach. … It has been pretty amazing, 14 years and four CIF championships.”

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com