The Rams lost senior sensation Zach Hopkins to Pomp and Circumstance after his Most Valuable Player season. And he was joined on the graduation list by all-leaguer Justin Ble and other talented Willow Glen seniors Justin Curry, Steve McGaughy, Ilijaz Mechanic and Mike Mancuso.

But every team in the division was hit last spring. Champion Oak Grove lost Senior of the Year Joe Porsche and all-leaguers Joseph Su and David Su, Leland lost Noah Hall and Jeff Kwok, Branham lost Josh Garcia and Zach Garcia ... the list goes on.

"Every team has lost a major player," said Willow Glen coach Jef Wind. "The league will be different this season."

And how does Wind figure his Rams will stack up in the "different league" race this spring?

"This will be an exciting season for my Rams," he said.

Wind rates his Rams as the team to beat in the division this spring with Leland, Leigh and Westmont also looking strong.

"We're very fortunate to have returning starter Johnny Vlkovic as our setter and captain," said Wind of the 6-foot-1 senior.

Seniors Jared Petite and Jason Curry are two more starters returning from a Willow Glen team that finished fourth in the division last year but finished with a solid 20-14 season record.

"Another big plus for us is the return of two strong middle blockers in Alex Pelayo and Andrew Veggian," said Wind of the two seniors. "Both could have started last year but were behind two strong senior middles."

The coach is also pleased with the progress of senior Nick Baker and sophomore Tobin Chase.

"We're looking for a big contribution from Baker," said Wind. "Last season grades hurt his chances of playing, but this year has dedicated himself to the books and has earned himself a starting spot."

Of Chase, Wind says, "He's 6-foot-2 and skilled. He'll see time at both middle and outside."

Juniors Mike Reiton, Angel Posada and Jeremy Mamon will be other key players for the Rams in their run for a division championship.

That run won't be easy with some powerhouses in the division.

"Westmont and Leigh are looking improved, and Branham is very tall," said Wind. "Leland will be quick and highly skilled."

Still, he likes his club's chances.

"Willow Glen is definitely looking to compete for the title," he said. "The big battle will be the second annual "Tiki" match against Leland. Last year the Rams took the Tiki and we're not ready to give it back."

Willow Glen will host Leland on April 5, but only after hosting Pioneer on March 22 and visiting Gunderson on March 24 for a couple of 6 p.m. matches.

Willow Glen is off to a 3-0 start in league play and a 3-4 start overall. The Rams beat Prospect and Branham in three games each last week.

The Rams breezed past the Bruins 25-16, 25-12, 25-17 behind Baker's 11 kills. Two days earlier, Baker and Chase had 11 kills apiece in a 25-18, 25-20, 25-15 win over Prospect.

Wind and Eric Stachnick return for their seventh season together as Willow Glen coaches, six of those years in the Mt. Hamilton Division. They'll be joined on the coaching staff this spring by former Willow Glen star Richie Stayskal, who returns home after a tour of duty with the military in Iraq.

Heartbreaking loss

Junior pitcher Michele McCollum allowed just one hit and a single run, but that proved to be the difference in the game when Piedmont Hills went 10 innings to beat McCollum and the Willow Glen girls softball team 1-0 last week.

The loss came in the first game of the Santa Teresa Division season for Willow Glen. The Rams are now 7-3 for the year and will visit Evergreen Valley on March 22 and will host Independence on March 24 in a couple of 3:30 p.m. league games.

Earlier in the week the Rams had blanked Los Altos 5-0 in a non-league game on a 4-hit shutout by McCollum. First sacker Lillian Smith had two hits to drive in three runs in the win.

Rams top Bruins

The Willow Glen baseball team went eight innings to edge Branham 6-5 in a Mt. Hamilton Division game last week. It was the first win for the Rams in five league games.

Jose Torres, Brent Kompelien and Will Robinson slapped two hits each to lead the Rams to the win over the Bruins.

Earlier in the week, the Rams picked up their first win of the year with a 7-6 non-league victory over Live Oak. The Rams, now 2-5 for the year, were led by Kompelien, who tossed a complete game 7-hitter and struck out eight. Torres led the offense with two hits.

The Rams will try to continue their winning ways when they play Mt. Pleasant twice this week--March 22 at home and March 24 at MP. Games begin at 3:30 p.m.