Centennial chemistry lesson

Adam Candee

Thursday, April 10, 2003 | 10:13 a.m.

For a bunch of funny two-letter combinations on a confusing chart of rows and columns, chemistry sure finds its way into quite a few corners of the sports world.

Chemistry sometimes is the difference between good and great, and the Centennial boys' volleyball team believes it has made that transition.

Standing 13-0 after Wednesday's 25-11, 25-14, 26-24 victory against Cimarron-Memorial, the Bulldogs present an influential case.

"I think we've had all the pieces the last couple of years," Centennial coach Dave Fish said. "But it's like (the kids) said, the chemistry is so much different this year. It's 'my fault,' not 'your fault' this year. Last year, we had a couple of seniors and it was never their fault."

The Bulldogs advanced to the state semifinals a year ago, losing a five-game heartbreaker to Chaparral. Equipped with a towering front line led by senior Jeff Robinson, hitting depth and a number of tough jump servers, Centennial looks primed to climb at least that high in 2003.

Even so, simply getting along with each other might be the push over the hump.

"We all get along this year better than last year," Centennial senior middle Mike Hilsabeck said.

Senior setter Daniel Wright is in the middle of it all. At a lanky 6-foot-5, Wright looks nothing like a traditional setter, and even his movements on the court do not always smack of athletic grace. Yet that long frame combined with soft hands, astute court awareness and fiery drive make Wright one of the city's best players, and one of its rare college prospects.

"I just try to pull the team together and keep their heads in the game and try to stay focused," Wright said.

"Daniel's being modest," Fish said. "He's our true leader. He knows he has to lead the team. He's the setter. He's the quarterback."

"It's what makes you coach," Fish said. "It's a joy, someone who works as hard as he does. He's a gentleman, a good student, and he's a leader. He's the first one at practice, the first one picking up the balls, the first to pick up the net. No ego whatsoever, looking down at any other player."

For Wright and his teammates, volleyball is again a fun experience.

The Bulldogs got to know each other even more on a trip to California two weeks ago, where Centennial took second place in a 36-team tournament against tough competition. Wright earned all-tournament honors, and the Bulldogs discovered they could compete with just about anyone.

Locally, Centennial already has handled Bonanza and Chaparral, the other teams expected to compete for the championship. For Fish, who built the Centennial program from the ground four years ago, this season will go down as a success with or without a title.

"It would be nice to win state, but no matter what happens this year, I'll go away with a much better feeling than the success we had last year because of this group of kids."