SportsVolleyball

Players band together under same roof

Freshman Alex Lienert, senior Ryan Allen, junior Chris Peterson and senior Morgan Coberly stand next to their backyard volleyball court at their home in Pomona. They will participate in this year's volleyball championships in Springfield, Mass., this weekend. / photo by Summer Herndon
Freshman Alex Lienert, senior Ryan Allen, junior Chris Peterson and senior Morgan Coberly stand next to their backyard volleyball court at their home in Pomona. They will participate in this year’s volleyball championships in Springfield, Mass., this weekend. / photo by Summer Herndon

by Araceli Esparza
Features Editor

When four young men moved into a three-bedroom house on Sumner Avenue in Pomona this summer, they knew they shared a similar passion — each loved stepping onto the 1,800 square foot court for a game of volleyball.

Though the initial discovery made seniors Ryan Allen and Morgan Coberly, junior Chris Peterson and freshman Alex Lienert closer as teammates, they never really expected that the experience would also make them stronger as friends.

“I think we are pretty close friends,” said Peterson, an outside hitter for ULV. “We have had no better situation with roommates than now.”

However, it was not only the idea of living under the same roof that brought this quad closer together. Because each has a significant background in the sport, they learn from one another as well.

Allen, who originates from Huntington Beach and is currently a right-side hitter for ULV, has played volleyball since the eighth grade. He was also involved in football and basketball that year, and admits taking interest in volleyball “just for the kicks.”

“I was playing for the school team when a club coach approached me and asked me to play at the club level,” Allen said.

“I love volleyball because I’ve played my whole life, at almost every level,” he said. “It’s something you could play either indoors or outdoors.”

For Coberly, ULV’s setter, exposure to the sport arrived at an earlier time. His father, current men’s volleyball coach Jack Coberly, has been a volleyball coach for several years.

“I’ve been around volleyball since I was 11 years old, when my dad would take me with him to games and tournaments,” said the Boulder, Colo., native. “I think I started playing so young it gave me confidence in a sport that I could be good at.”

Peterson, who is originally from Clovis in Northern California, said he was also introduced to volleyball in the eighth grade.

He said, “My brother played in high school, and when I would go watch his games, I got interested in it.

“It gives me an adrenaline rush; I have a natural ability to play, no one could stop me from doing it.”

“I played my first doubles tournament when I was 12 years old,” said middle blocker Lienert, who is from Longmont, Co.

“I also played for the Boulder Volleyball Club with Morgan, and I played with Jack [Coberly] for four years,” he said. “It’s a fun game and a good team sport.”

From their general individual experiences, these young men have learned to adapt to each other off the court.

“I’m usually the one who gets picked on the most, because I’m the smallest,” said Lienert.

Though he is 6’5″ in stature and actually the tallest of the four, Lienert said he gets “beat up” because he is also the youngest.

“One time we beat him up and pinned him to the floor because he wouldn’t tell us the tricks to his magic,” said Allen.

“We pulled on his thumbs until he said ‘Mercy’, and then we let him go,” Peterson said.

“I think it took about an hour for him to finally tell us the answer to his tricks,” said Allen.

In addition to their occasional “Let’s Beat Up Alex” spurts, these four men do their best to keep up to par with volleyball techniques and overall teamwork.

Utilizing a self-made volleyball court in their backyard, Allen, Coberly, Lienert and Peterson challenge each other to doubles volleyball games during the off-season.

“We try to switch teams as much as possible,” said Coberly.

In regards to meal arrangements for the household, the foursome admits that they prepare their own meals the majority of the time. On occasion, however, they will take the time to cook for one another.

“Usually we make fruit smoothies for each other, but Morgan makes himself protein drinks,” said Peterson.

“We also like peas and cheese,” said Lienert.

“Occasionally, we also steal food from each other,” said Coberly.

Regarding personal space, only two men — Lienert and Allen — share a room, while Coberly and Peterson each have their own living space.

“We are pretty good with giving each other our own space when we need it,” Coberly said.

In regards to this year’s season and the recent trip to Springfield, Mass., for National Championships, the quad has high aspirations for the Leopards’ performance.

Their 1998 season results thus far are 11-11, allowing them the opportunity to achieve the .500 record they set out to accomplish since the beginning of the season.

“I am missing my son’s [Matthew] birthday for Nationals,” said Allen. “So I want to come home and bring him a trophy.”

Araceli Esparza, Editorial Assistant
Araceli Esparza
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Summer Herndon, Photography Editor
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