volleyball. Just to say I play is a great honor. I'm very happy that the
people before me, like Stoklos and Timmons, put me in a good position
where I could make a good living for eight to 10 years. I'd like to
maintain that for some younger players."
In his first year playing organized volleyball, Lewis helped Corona
del Mar win the CIF Southern Section 4-A championship in 1985, his junior year.
After graduating from CdM in 1986, Lewis played two years at Orange
Coast, leading the Pirates to state championships in 1987 and '89.
A two-time state community college men's volleyball Player of the
Year, Lewis turned pro soon after his last spike at OCC, and, after
taking his share of lumps, he finally reached the zenith of his playing
career when he captured his first AVP Tour title -- the prestigious
Cuervo Gold Crown in Clearwater, Fla., with partner Pat Powers in 1992.
"That was one of my most memorable moments," he said. "It was a
combination of years of hard work and having one goal (to win on the AVP
Tour), then having it come to reality was overwhelming at the time ...
Jose Cuervo was considered a major back then, if we ever had majors."
Including international titles, Lewis has won 15 tournament
championships in his career. But his first at the Cuervo Gold ranks at
the top.
Lewis, an avid surfer, was inspired to play volleyball after watching
Timmons (Newport Harbor, OCC) lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 1984
Olympic Games in Los Angeles with his father.
Among Lewis' highlights is "just the fact that a lot of people told me
(a pro volleyball career) wouldn't happen for me. I really used that as
inspiration to push myself. Not only to prove them wrong, but to prove to
myself that I could pull it off."
Next on his agenda is organizing an amateur volleyball tournament at
the Newport Dunes in October. He's currently looking for a title sponsor.
Lewis, who lives in Huntington Beach, is the latest honoree in the
Daily Pilot Sports Hall of Fame.
