The high school boys volleyball season begins Saturday, Feb. 19.

Here are updates on teams, players, events, plus key dates during the season.

Boys volleyball

Season starts: Saturday, Feb. 19

Overview: The CIF Southern Section’s “watch list” for its Division 1 and 2 teams includes Orange County teams Beckman, Corona del Mar, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Mater Dei, Newport Harbor, Orange Lutheran, San Clemente, Servite and Tesoro. At the end of the season eight teams that are in the 44-team Divisions 1 and 2 group will be selected to play in Division for the playoffs.

Last season’s Division 1 playoffs eight teams included Corona del Mar, Mater Dei, Newport Harbor, Orange Lutheran and San Clemente. Newport Harbor lost to Mira Costa in the Division 1 final. Huntington Beach advanced to the Division 2 final in which the Oilers lost to Santa Barbara. Marina won the Division 4 championship. La Quinta lost in the Division 5 final. Capistrano Valley Christian defeated Orange in the Division 6 final.

Marina moved up to the Divisions 1 and 2 group for this season. Capistrano Valley Christian is a Division 4 team.

Newport Harbor could have Orange County’s top contender for the Division 1 championship, for which Loyola might be the favorite. The Sailors bring back two All-CIF players, senior middle blocker James Eadie and junior opposite hitter Jack Read.

Huntington Beach junior outside hitter Leo Phinizy was All-CIF last season as was Beckman junior setter Ryan Graves. Tetairoa McMillen was All-CIF at Servite last season as a junior, but he graduated early and is at University of Arizona where he will play football. All-CIF selections Isaac Seltzer and Bryce Tallman return at Foothill. Andrew Sheveland and Kai Taylor were All-CIF as juniors last season at Capistrano Valley Christian.

Key dates: Redondo Preseason Tournament at Redondo Union High School, Feb. 25-26; Huntington Beach at Newport Harbor, March 10; Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor, March 23; Servite at Mater Dei, March 25; CIF Southern Section playoffs begin April 26; CIF-SS finals, May 14; CIF Southern California Regionals, May 17, 19 and 21.

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