Brick House History - 2026 Boys Varsity Volleyball Season

When we started the 2026 season in the Brick House, this was the dream. But if I’m honest, it still felt like the kind of thing other programs did—schools with bigger rosters, deeper lineups, or a history of banners already hanging on the wall. We were the ones looking up at those banners, not the ones adding to them.

Now this group of guys can say they have a banner of their own.

This season was led, in every sense, by our seniors: John Michael Flint and Damien Krautmann.

John Michael was the heartbeat of this team. Whether it was a long rally in a tight fifth set at Breo Olinda or a post-Prom practice Monday, he brought the same edge and focus. He steadied us when things got chaotic and took over when we needed a kill, a block, or just someone to demand more from the group. When everyone else’s pulse was racing, he stayed the same—and that became our anchor.

Damien was the quiet assassin. You could almost forget he was there—until a huge serve run, a perfectly timed block, or a big swing from the back row flipped a set on its head. He did all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score, and his consistency gave our younger guys the confidence to play free. He was proof that leadership doesn’t always need a microphone.

The standard they set—competitively and culturally—is the foundation on which future teams will stand. As two and three-sport athletes, they showed that it’s possible to fall in love with a new sport and immerse themselves in the pursuit of being their best, while bringing along other strong athletes to follow them. 

One of the best parts of this season was watching first-time players become real varsity contributors. Tua Rojas – Raw at the start, fearless by the end. He brought energy, athleticism, and a spark off the bench that turned matches around. Kingston Bustos – Grew into his role every week. Steady serving, smart blocking and attacking decisions, and the kind of laughter that made every drill and game lighter. George Velazquez – Pure comedic relief, every single day. The guy who kept us loose when the pressure tightened. Mikey Gomez – A gritty defender who never stopped chasing balls. Always asking what to do next, always with the intent to improve. Ian Bartley – Came in new to the varsity speed of the game and left as a reliable, poised role player we trusted in big moments. They didn’t just “fill out the roster.” They gave us depth, flexibility, and a real sense that anyone on our side of the net could impact the match.

Our returning core gave this team its identity. Nico DeRosa – A strong server and defender who made other teams uncomfortable in serve receive. Luca Moreno-Murphy – A two-way threat who stabilized serving and brought fire on defense. Luca made critical impacts in important matches all season, especially in the postseason. Luke Walters – The leader of our offense and a physical presence at the net. He put us in great scoring positions and used his tools effectively. Tyler Roberts – The essential role player who did his job day after day, giving us reliability in the rotations where we needed it most. Together, the returners and newcomers built something that wasn’t just about talent—it was about trust.

We didn’t just defend the league title—we ran through the Tri-Valley League undefeated for the second straight year.

Winning the league once is special. Doing it again, without dropping a league match, put an exclamation point on this group’s legacy. It sent a clear message: last year wasn’t a fluke. This is who we are now.

The CIF-Southern Section bracket is never easy, and this year was no different. Every match felt like a test of who we’d become as a program. Each round, the stakes got higher—and so did our level. We passed better. We served more aggressively. Our block and defense read hitters better. Our bench stayed engaged and ready. As we prepared for a tough first-round match against Rio Hondo Prep, our goal wasn’t to win CIF; we just wanted to win ONE playoff game for the first time in 20 seasons, and for the first time in our senior class’s four years at Bishop in the sports they’ve played. To win that ONE match, the guys gained the confidence to win. As NFL Quarterback Cam Newton said, “Winning is contagious.”

After an easier match against La Quinta, we found ourselves down 0-2 at Brea Olinda High School. As far as I’m concerned, the CIF title was won on that court. John Michael, Damien, Tyler, and Luke all elevated their game and played with high energy the rest of the way. Tua started making better moves at the net, and Luca provided the spark off the bench we needed to run through the finish line. Both Coach Jon and I knew after closing out that match that we would be hard to beat if we played at that level.

By the time we reached the Southern Section final against St. Anthony, it felt like the culmination of years of work, not just one season. Winning that match—and bringing home the first CIF-SS championship in Bishop Diego boys volleyball history—is something I’ll never forget: Damien serving his third walk-off ace to win a match in the Brick House, the team rushing the court, the red and white crowd exploding, and our players realizing in real time that they’d just changed the program forever. Those are moments you never, ever forget, and it’s what makes being a part of the Bishop Diego community so special. You agonize in defeat together, and you celebrate championships together - a true family.

This season wasn’t just about banners and records.

It was about Seniors who chose to lead instead of coast. First-time players who were brave enough to step into a varsity gym and learn on the fly. Returners who decided that last year’s success was a starting point, not a finish line. A group that believed Bishop Diego could be a boys' volleyball school in a way it had never been before.

Years from now, people at Bishop will see “Back-to-Back Undefeated Tri-Valley League Champions” and “CIF-Southern Section Champions”. Most of them won’t know the practices, the preseason winter leagues, the film work, the bus rides, or the tiny turning points that made it all possible.

But we will. We were there. We built it. And we set the bar for every Bishop Diego boys volleyball team that comes next. This ride was one-of-a-kind and will never be repeated or forgotten. The next one will be different, but we hope for a similar result in the end with another hungry group of guys seeking their own slice of Bishop Volleyball history. 

Ian Bartley
Kingston Bustos
Nico DeRosa
John Michael Flint
Mikey Gomez
Damien Krautmann
Luca Moreno-Murphy
Tyler Roberts
Tua Rojas
Jorge Velazquez
Luke Walters