That may be the philosophy of Oakland Raiders managing general partner Al Davis, but it's a strategy that Hilbert and his Chargers hope to employ in the final weeks of the league season. Because if the Chargers just win, and win at the right times, they'll be the champions of the division and advance to the Central Coast Section playoffs.

It's a four-team race in the Mt. Hamilton Division with Leland, Oak Grove, Branham and Willow Glen all in a title fight.

"The top four teams are so close right now," said Hilbert. His own Chargers entered play this week in first place at 9-1 with Oak Grove and Branham both 8-2 and sharing second place, and Willow Glen a close third at 7-3.

Leland and Oak Grove were to lock up in a key match on April 20 and the Chargers were looking for revenge for an early season defeat to the Eagles when "they embarrassed us," admitted Hilbert. The Chargers lost 25-17, 25-18, 25-23 to Oak Grove.

An Oak Grove win would have sent the race into a logjam. But a Leland win would have lengthened the Chargers' division-leading lead and put them in a comfortable position. Leland has already beaten Branham twice and needs just another win over Willow Glen to all but wrap up the crown—of course, that all depends on the Tuesday results at Oak Grove.

Senior middle blocker Noah Hall leads the Chargers at the net.

"He has the only height we have on the team," said Hilbert, whose club is on the smaller side by volleyball standards.

Junior outside hitters Tommy Phan and Sam Lee are both "playing really well," added the coach.

"We spread the ball around, and we play very good defense," said Hilbert. "We frustrate teams by getting the ball up."

It's that kind of play that's helped the Chargers post a 17-6 season record this spring and their 9-1 mark in league play.

"It's a team kind of like the New England Patriots," added Hilbert. "We have no real superstars, we just play well together as a team."

Seniors Steve Sim, Jeff Kwok and Nik Rao join juniors Chris Hong, Jonathan Luu, Derrick Truong, Alex Kim, Arnold Won and Brian Holmdahl to round out the Leland squad.

Leland will play host to Pioneer on April 22, 6 p.m. The Mustangs, led by Steve Geer, are playing without the services of Ricky Messmann, who suffered a broken leg earlier this year in a win over Westmont. The Chargers beat the Mustangs 25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23 behind 15 kills by Hall on the first trip through the Mt. Hamilton Division schedule.

Leland will visit Prospect on April 27, 7 p.m., before closing out the league season at home against Leigh (April 29) and Westmont (April 30) and on the road against Willow Glen (May 6).

Branham heads to Willow Glen for a key match on April 22, 7 p.m., before visiting Pioneer on April 27, 6 p.m. The Bruins still must face Oak Grove (May 4).