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Damian Calhoun. Sports Newsroom Assistant.

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

Here is the preseason boys volleyball top 10. Voting for the next top 10 will take place Monday, March 11.

O.C. Top 10

1. Huntington Beach: Perhaps the most talented team in the county, Oilers have a solid senior group with a mix of young contributors.

2. Dana Hills: The Dolphins also have good group of returning players, led by junior Christian Hessenauer and senior Bryce Yould.

3. San Clemente: The South Coast League matches between the Tritons and Dana Hills will be must-see stuff.

4. Newport Harbor: This is the second year under Steve Astor. The Sailors have several pieces that should make them a dangerous team this season.

5. Orange Lutheran: Things are certainly looking up for the Lancers. Last year, they finished in last place in the Trinity League. Now, experienced, the Lancers should be ready to contend in the ultra-competitive Trinity League.

6. Mater Dei: The Monarchs have to fill the vacancy of the graduating John Zappia, but have a lot returning, led by Tucker Pikula, to keep them in thick of the Trinity League race.

7. Esperanza: The Aztecs will have a new look this year due to graduation, but return one of the top juniors in Jake Arnitz. Esperanza is Division 2 this year and will likely be a factor in the race for the CIF title.

8. Corona del Mar: The Sea Kings, who advanced to the CIF-SS Division 2 finals last season, are now in Division 1. CdM graduated eight seniors from last year and will have a lot of new faces contributing.

9. Laguna Beach: This is the second year for the Breakers under coach Scott Panaro. The Breakers have a lot of key contributors returning, led by senior outside hitter Weston Barnes.

10. Servite: The Friars enter the season youthful, but with a loaded nonleague schedule, they will quickly gain some much-needed experience before the start of the Trinity League season.

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O.C. Players to watch

Jack Yoder, San Clemente, Sr., S; Christian Hessenauer, Dana Hills; Jr., Opp; Tucker Pikula, Mater Dei, Sr., OH; Matt Butler, Huntington Beach, Sr., S; Lucas Yoder, San Clemente, Sr., OH; Ben Oxnard, Esperanza, Jr., L; Grady Zant, Mater Dei, Sr., S; Jake Arnitz, Esperanza, Jr., Opp; Bryce Yould, Dana Hills, Sr., MB; Andrew TenBrink, Huntington Beach, Sr., MB; Zach Gates, Huntington Beach, Sr., Opp; Kevin Rakestraw; Newport Harbor, Sr., MB; Eric Ctvrtlik, Corona del Mar, Sr., OH/L; Joey Martino, Corona del Mar, Jr., OH; Jason Weedon, Foothill, Sr., OH; Eric Patton, Foothill, Soph, Opp; Clay Carr, Newport Harbor, Jr., OH; Weston Barnes, Laguna Beach, Sr., OH; Maxx McCarter, Laguna Beach, Sr., MB/Opp; Connor McEuen, Servite, Sr., OH; Spencer Lane, El Toro, Sr., OH; Jason Willahan, Mission Viejo, Sr., MB; Reid Dominguez, Orange Lutheran, Sr., OH; Chad McCallister, Marina, Sr., L; Ryan Anselmo, Trabuco Hills, Sr., OH; Andy Carrigar, Yorba Linda, Sr., MB/Opp; Brandon Eichkoff, Yorba Linda, Sr., OH; Michael Such, Mater Dei, Sr., OH; Nick Worrell, Saddleback Valley Christian, Sr., MB

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Important Dates

Mater Dei at Redondo; Newport Harbor at Mira Costa, March 5; Foothill Varsity Tournament, March 8-9; Orange Lutheran at Mira Costa, March 12; Mater Dei at Huntington Beach, March 12; Dana Hills at Newport Harbor; Laguna Beach at San Clemente, March 13; Orange County Championships, March 15-16, 18; Corona del Mar at Laguna Beach, March 20; Orange Lutheran at Servite, March 21; Esperanza at Foothill, March 26; Huntington Beach at Newport Harbor, March 29; Mater Dei at Orange Lutheran, April 9; Orange Lutheran at St. John Bosco, April 16; Dana Hills at Laguna Beach, April 19; Karch Kiraly Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, April 19-20; Newport Harbor at Huntington Beach, April 23; Laguna Beach at Esperanza, May 1; Newport Harbor at Corona del Mar, May 3; CIF-SS Playoffs May 6-7, 9, 11, 14 and 18; CIF Regionals May 21, 23 and 25