Kevin Hansen

Barry Faulkner Hanging with future leaders in their respective fields, and soaking up wisdom from a faculty that includes 17 Nobel Prize winners, one might find it surprising that the biggest lesson Kevin Hansen has learned at Stanford University might have come this season on the volleyball court. "Throughout my athletic career, I've been blessed to have never been on a losing team," said the former Corona del Mar High standout whose prep teams competed in five CIF Southern Section title contests during his seven combined varsity volleyball (four)

Tony Altobelli Could it have gotten any better for Corona del Mar High boys volleyball standout Kevin Hansen? Playing in his fourth CIF Southern Section division title game, Hansen was able to close out his career on top, helping the Sea Kings knock out rival Newport Harbor in the Division I title game. "There's no way I could have ever predicted that one," Hansen said. "We got to play them for the title last year and we lost. I never thought I would get a second chance."

Name: Kevin Hansen Born: March 19, 1982 Hometown: Newport Beach Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 180 Sport: Basketball Position: Wing Coaches: Paul Orris Favorite food: Hamburgers Favorite movie: "Dumb and Dumber" Best athletic moment: "Playing in two CIF championship matches in volleyball and one CIF final in basketball." He was the starting setter for the Southern Section Division III volleyball champions as a sophomore. The week that was: He had 29 points and nine rebounds in a CIF III-AA quarterfinal win over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, then had 22 points and five boards in a semifinal setback against Centennial of Compton.

CORONA DEL MAR - The Corona del Mar High boys volleyball team wrapped up its first Pacific Coast League championship Tuesday, sweeping visiting University, 15-5, 15-12, 15-9. The Sea Kings, tied for the top ranking in CIF Southern Section Division I, improved to 15-1, 7-0 in league. They close out their inaugural PCL campaign Thursday at Costa Mesa, before visiting Back Bay rival Newport Harbor Friday to conclude the regular season. Greg Stampley led CdM with 16 kills Tuesday, but setters Kevin Hansen (21 assists)

FOUNTAIN VALLEY - Corona del Mar High's boys volleyball team knocked off Dana Hills and Santa Margarita Friday at Marina High to advance to the Gold Division of the Orange County Championships. In their first match, the Sea Kings handled the Dolphins, 15-3, 15-7, led by Kevin Hansen's 26 assists. Greg Stampley led the attack with 12 kills, while Chris Shepardson added 10 kills. In match No. 2, CdM breezed by Santa Margarita, 15-6, 15-0. Stampley chipped in with another 12 kills, Forest Mack had four kills and three blocks and Hansen added five kills and 16 assists.

CORONA DEL MAR - Corona del Mar High's boys volleyball team opened the Pacific Coast League competition on the right foot, hammering visiting Laguna Beach, 15-3, 15-6, 15-7, Wednesday night. "We we're an exciting team to watch," Coach Steve Conti said. "I really liked our enthusiasm and our hustle tonight." Greg Stampley led the attack with 18 kills and four blocks, while Brian Gallagher (nine kills) Chris Shepardson (eight kills) and Forest Mack (five kills)

Former UC Irvine All-American Jayson Jablonsky and Corona del Mar High product Kevin Hansen are among the 19-player preliminary roster from which the 12-player USA Olympic men’s volleyball team will be named. The roster that will compete in Beijing, China later this summer will be announced in mid-July. Jablonsky, 22, who helped the Anteaters win the 2007 NCAA championship as a senior, is the youngest of the 19 players on the preliminary roster. The 2006 American Volleyball Coaches Assn.

Barry Faulkner CORONA DEL MAR - Corona del Mar High senior Kevin Hansen, a first-team All-CIF Southern Section Division III setter who has helped lead the Sea Kings to section championship matches the last two seasons, committed Tuesday to continue his volleyball career at Stanford University. The 6-foot-4 standout, who trained the last two summers with U.S. national youth team, picked Stanford over UCLA and Long Beach State. He will sign a national letter of intent Wednesday, the first day of the signing period.

EL MONTE - Kevin Hansen had 29 points to lead visiting Corona del Mar High to a 71-54 nonleague boys basketball win over El Monte in the season opener for the Sea Kings. Alec Hanson had 18 points, while Elliott Patterson added eight points for the Sea Kings, who again travel to take on Mission Viejo Friday at 7 p.m. A strong first quarter was the key for the Sea Kings, as they jumped out to a 23-10 lead and never looked back. Jack Dunbar had 28 points for El Monte (0-2)

As I watched the NCAA Division I men's volleyball championship on television, it was so great to see two former Corona del Mar High players as the middle blockers for UC Santa Barbara. Dylan Davis and Scott Slaughter formed the first pair of middle blockers from the same high school, to start in an NCAA final. Both players were instrumental in the late-season run made by the Gauchos. What is even more amazing is that last year's NCAA Champion, Stanford, featured CdM's Gus Ellis as one if its' starting middles.

BEIJING — Former UC Irvine All-American Jeff Powers scored two goals as the U.S. Olympic men’s water polo team defeated Germany, 8-7, Monday in China to advance to the medal round for the first time since 1992. Ryan Bailey and Tim Hutten, two other previous UCI All-Americans, scored one goal each as Team USA won Group B with a 4-1 record. The U.S. earned a bye into the semifinals and will face the winner of the Spain-Serbia quarterfinal. The U.S. men’s water polo team is scheduled to play its semifinal Friday at 7:40 p.m. in Beijing (2 a.m., PST)

Kevin Hansen is headed to China for the 2008 Olympics, a dream come true, and a truly remarkable feat, considering he was told that an athletic career would be challenging. Hansen, the former Corona del Mar High standout, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 10 years old and was told that sports would be difficult to pursue, Hansen’s bio reads. “I shoot up with needles at least four times a day,” Hansen said. Hansen was one of 12 athletes named to the U.S. Men’s Olympic Indoor Volleyball Team that will compete in Beijing, pending confirmation by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Former UC Irvine All-American Jayson Jablonsky and Corona del Mar High product Kevin Hansen are among the 19-player preliminary roster from which the 12-player USA Olympic men’s volleyball team will be named. The roster that will compete in Beijing, China later this summer will be announced in mid-July. Jablonsky, 22, who helped the Anteaters win the 2007 NCAA championship as a senior, is the youngest of the 19 players on the preliminary roster. The 2006 American Volleyball Coaches Assn.

There is no Olympic trinket, no tiny flag emblazoned with those trademark five rings, no poster with a motivational phrase in big letters to remind Kevin Hansen of his dream. For the former Corona del Mar High two-sport standout, now competing for one of 12 spots on the U.S. men’s national volleyball team, the alarm clock is enough to remind him that his four-year Olympic quest has been a daily grind. That journey began in 2005, after a stellar career at Stanford, where he was a two-time All-American.

When you're shooting for the stars, it helps to have some assistance to keep you focused on what you're doing. In the case of Kevin Hansen, a Corona del Mar High product trying out for the U.S. men's national volleyball team with hopes of playing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he has had a bit of inspiration: his two older sisters. "Both [Erika and Kristin] played at Princeton, so I had something to shoot for as I was growing up," said Hansen, 24. "They've been supportive of me, as have my parents."

Barry Faulkner Hanging with future leaders in their respective fields, and soaking up wisdom from a faculty that includes 17 Nobel Prize winners, one might find it surprising that the biggest lesson Kevin Hansen has learned at Stanford University might have come this season on the volleyball court. "Throughout my athletic career, I've been blessed to have never been on a losing team," said the former Corona del Mar High standout whose prep teams competed in five CIF Southern Section title contests during his seven combined varsity volleyball (four)

The Orange Coast College women's basketball team rolls to a 76-57 victory over visiting Allan Hancock in the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs. The Pirates, coming back from a 12-day layoff, jump out to a 14-0 lead and hold advantages of 23-5 and 31-12 in the first half. Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year Jennifer Ludwicki drains Coast's first three baskets and receives defensive help from sophomore Becky Loshak. Ludwicki finishes with 30 points, hitting five three-pointers and grabbing eight boards.

If you were to bet on Aaron Peirsol, it would not be gambling. Say if Las Vegas opened a line in October on Peirsol becoming the top swimmer in the 200-yard backstroke in NCAA Division I, I know I would be rich, no matter the odds. Surprise, surprise. Aaron Peirsol is No. 1 in the nation in the 200 back (1:41.34). That's what was expected when the University of Texas recruited the pride of Newport Harbor High. After all, Peirsol is the best in the world in the 200 back.

Barry Faulkner Recent Corona del Mar High graduate Kevin Hansen, who earned various MVP honors in volleyball and basketball as a senior, is the 1999-2000 Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa District Male Athlete of the Year. Hansen, the CIF Southern Section Division I and Newport-Mesa Player of the Year in volleyball this spring, led the Sea Kings to a section championship. It was the fourth straight CIF championship match for Hansen, a three-year starting setter who also triggered the Sea Kings' offense when they won the section Division III title in 1998.