VOLLEYBALL HONORS: Cucullu named Division I state MVP

Coronado boys volleyball coach Matt Johnson has left the video of Tyler Cucullu’s match-point kill from the Cougars’ state title win on repeat for the past two weeks.

But as many times as Johnson has watched the senior drill the ball past Foothill’s front row, the final result still feels new for him.

“That last kill was spectacular,” Johnson said. “I’ve seen the replay over and over again and I can’t believe he actually hit that ball as hard as he did. It was a low, laser set, and he just crushed it.”

The 6-foot-5-inch opposite hitter, who had 16 kills, 10 digs and six blocks in the championship win over the Falcons, didn’t miss many opportunities this season. He guided Coronado (26-4) to its second straight state championship and a Sunrise Region title. For his efforts, Cucullu was named the state’s Division I Most Valuable player by the Southern Nevada Volleyball Coaches Association.

“He’s been with this program in those tight situations for four years,” Johnson said. “He’s a perfectionist and he doesn’t like to make mistakes. He has a strong desire to be a better player, and that makes everyone else better. He did a great job of practicing what he was preaching.”

Cucullu was the backbone of a Cougars squad that finished the season on a 15-match winning streak and lost only one set in the postseason. He registered 237 kills, 173 digs, 49 blocks and 34 aces and used his long arms and jumping prowess to propel Coronado’s dominant front row.

But it was his serving ability that benefitted the Cougars the most. 

“I think he got better as a server as the season went on,” said Johnson, who was also honored as Nevada’s Coach of the Year. “I think he understood he didn’t have to hit the cover off the ball and he was able to put together runs of points that were huge for us.

“He was able to go back and serve six or seven points in a row. He understood by putting pressure on the other side with a good serve and by not putting pressure on himself and us, he became a more complete team player.”

Cucullu also carved a leadership role on a senior-heavy squad that earned its fifth straight trip to the state final.

“He was really good at keeping the guys together,” Johnson said. “We brought him up to the varsity squad his freshman year for the playoffs. There was a method to that. We brought him and a couple of guys up to know what its like be in the championship matches.” 

Cucullu, who was also named the Sunrise Region MVP and an All-Southeast first-team selection, will play volleyball at Mount Saint Vincent College in New York next spring.

Cucullu was joined on the all-state first team by Coronado teammates Conner Stephenson and Matt Pettit, along with Foothill’s Kendell Andrews, Caleb Hutchinson and Raymond Buccat, Centennial’s Blake Frischknecht, Palo Verde’s Mitchell Tingey, and Valley’s Jack Heavey.