DV volleyball seeking 2nd-straight title

It's a few minutes before the start of one of the last Desert Vista boys volleyball practices of the season and Michael Proctor has a basketball in his hands.

He's dodging volleyballs to make easy layups against his teammates.

Combining basketball and volleyball has come that naturally for the 6-foot-8 Thunder senior during his four years at Desert Vista, where he has been on state championship teams in both sports.

Desert Vista won the Class 5A-Division I state basketball title this winter and the Thunder have set their sights on back-to-back boys volleyball championships this weekend.

The sixth-seeded Thunder are scheduled to meet third-seeded Gilbert in the quarterfinals Thursday night in Gilbert. The winner moves on to Saturday's semifinals and finals.

Mountain Pointe is also in the running and the second-seeded Pride are facing Chandler Basha for the third time this season. If they both get through the quarterfinals Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe could meet for the sixth time this season.

Results of Thursday's game can be found on the Ahwatukee Foothills News Web site, ww.ahwatukee.com

"There are a lot of people who never get to a playoff or have an opportunity to play in a championship game, so I feel fortunate to be part of two here," Proctor said. "It makes me feel good to know that I was part of getting two banners with some great teammates."

Proctor has always been a basketball player, but discovered volleyball through his older brother.

"It was the summer of eighth grade and my brother told me I should try volleyball," Proctor recalled. "He told me I didn't have to stick with it if I didn't like it, but it turned out that I loved it."

He found that both sports can compliment each other.

"There are a lot of similarities," Proctor said. "They both involve jumping, of course, but a lot of it is knowing where the ball is going to be.

"In basketball a lot of players go up for a rebound too soon. You have to know where the ball is going to go after it hits the rim. Volleyball is the same way. You have to anticipate where the ball is going to be and not go up too soon."

Proctor, Desert Vista boys volleyball coach Ryan Tolman said, remains unassuming and hasn't let those championships go to his head.

"Maybe it's partly his goofy personality," Tolman explained, "but everyone likes him and enjoys being around him. Not just his teammates, but everyone in school. His picture has been in the newspaper and he's been on television and you'd never know it. Some of that may be from playing a team sport.

"But you see him in and halls, and it's pretty hard to miss him, and he's talking with everyone, not just other athletes. Freshmen, who know who he is, obviously feel comfortable walking up and talking to him."

Proctor played the last of his combined 200-some games after four seasons in the Storm Center when the Thunder defeated Tucson in the opening round of the playoffs.

He'd like to come back some day to see another championship banner on the wall.