Four area boys volleyball standouts have been named to the second All-Sac-Joaquin Section Team.
Outside hitter Josiah Reif and Joel Van Groningen of SJS Division IV champion Ripon Christian are featured on the first team, while Lathrop libero
Van Groningen and Steckler made the inaugural All-Section Team last year. The list was revealed by the Sac-Joaquin Boys Volleyball Forum earlier this week. Jesuit setter Colin Marks repeats as Player of the Year, while Brett Cota of Nevada Union was named Non-Club Player of the Year.
Reif and Van Groningen led Ripon Christian (25-6) to new heights this spring. The Knights did not shy away from competition and was placed in the loaded Division II bracket for the California Interscholastic Federation Northern Regionals after winning the D-IV NorCal title in 2022.
The two Knights were statistically among the top hitters in the Section. The 6-foot-3 Reif, who is headed to Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich., led the way with 387 kills (4.3 per set) and 30 blocks. Van Groningen added 343 kills (4.3 per set) despite missing several early matches with a sore shoulder. He has signed with Dordt University out of Iowa.
Steckler and Van Groningen will soon be college rivals in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ranks. The Buffaloes’ 6-4 middle blocker has committed to the University of Jamestown of Nort Dakota.
Baluyut anchored the back row for Western Athletic Conference runner-up Lathrop (21-8). His 626 digs rank him No. 1 in the SJS and second in the state, according to stats submitted to MaxPreps.
