1994 BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW : SIX TEAMS TO WATCH : Dana Hills

Coach: Oz Simmons (12th year).

1993: 7-10, 5-5 in the South Coast League. Finished fourth in league and did not qualify for Division I playoffs.

Key returners: Matt Clem, 6-4, middle blocker, Sr.; Jeremy Darner, 6-5, outside hitter, Sr.; Bob Hefty, 6-8, middle blocker, Sr.; Neil Hewko, 6-4, outside hitter, Sr.; Wesley Tsai, 5-9, setter, Sr.

Key newcomers: Chris Lacher, 6-0, outside hitter, Jr.; Troy Meyers, 6-0, outside hitter, Jr.; Miah Watt, 6-5, middle blocker, Jr.

Outlook: It’s put-up-or-shut-up time for the Dolphins. Dana Hills features one of the county’s top outside hitters in Darner, and one of the best middle blockers in Hefty. Clem and Hewko are two other college prospects who give Dana Hills the core of what could be a championship team. But Simmons has heard it before. “We’ve had the same big guys for four years, but the bottom line is that we need to produce,” Simmons said. “We have the outside package, but we need what’s inside . . . the guts.” The Orange County championships in March should provide a good indication whether the Dolphins will be contenders or pretenders this season.