ULV senior leads team to No. 2

photo by Tom Galaraga

ULV senior and co-captain of the men's volleyball team, Tom Hilton sits alongside the court in the Championship Game of the Molten Men's National Volleyball Invitational Tuesday night, where his team finished No. 2 in the nation after losing game 5, 15-11. Hilton, who is a political science major, will graduate in May.

by Amanda Stutevoss
Sports Editor

Crouched on the edge of the court is Tom Hilton. Intensely watching every move of the University of La Verne men's volleyball team. Studying the technique of its opposition, strategically planning his method of attack. Carefully rehearsing his tactics and mentally outwitting his adversary.

Hilton, a senior from Santa Clarita is the co-captain of the Leopards team and the only remaining player from ULV's 1999 championship team.

Since 1998, the beginning of the Jack Coberly volleyball dynasty, the Leopards have been a dominating force on the court.

From 1999 on, a lot of the Leopards' success can be attributed to Hilton.

"I love this team and the tradition," Hilton said.

"Obviously I am not as good as some of the other players. All I could bring to the team was my spirit. It wasn't my volleyball skills that were needed, but my competitive drive."

During Hilton's senior year at Saugas High School, Coberly attended a volleyball game scouting a player on the opposing team. However, Hilton stood out and Coberly recruited the 6'3" two-time All-Conference high school player to play for the Leopards.

Thank God that he did.

"Tom brings intensity to the court," said teammate junior Nate Silva. "Him just being on the floor in a game or on your team during practice really fires you up."

"He's just an inspiration to me," said senior teammate Will Paulson. "He's smart enough to understand its more than just the mental game. He has made me a better player."

Hilton contributed 4 kills to the Leopards total of 45 in game one versus No. 4 ranked Lehman College of New York during the Molten Division III Men's Volleyball Invitational Championship, and another 4 in the championship game against No. 3 ranked Springfield College of Massachusetts, adding to his season average of .95 kills per game.

Hilton also contributed to the Leopard team with an attack percentage of .264 for the season with 41 blocks and 30 digs for ULV.

"Tom brings whatever the team need to the court," Paulson said.

"He is definitely the greatest player that I have ever played with," Silva said.

Hilton, a political science major who will graduate in May, has been accepted into the UCLA Law School. He has also been contacted by the military requesting that he become involved in the JAG program. He is now coming to terms with the end of his college volleyball career.

"There is definitely going to be a lot of extra time to fill," Hilton said.

"It is great being on a team like this because we are all close, even though volleyball is over, we know that it all doesn't have to end. The best part, is what we have built as a team, and that will always be there."