Rehearsing for a title

CAPA has a reputation for turning out talented students. Boyz II Men and Malcolm & Eddie actress Karen Malina White are among the school’s famous alumni.

But CAPA’s athletic expertise is becoming just as well known, thanks to the performance of the boys’ volleyball team.

This spring, the athletes from the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts — who lost in last year’s championship game to Masterman — are aiming to advance to their fourth Public League title match in five seasons.

The CAPA Pegasus is again storming into the playoffs with a 9-1 regular-season record, which doesn’t include yesterday’s game against first-place Masterman. CAPA lost to Central earlier in the season.

A win in yesterday afternoon’s contest, which started after press time, would have given the Pegasus an edge in its pursuit of the regular-season title and top seed in the playoffs. A loss would have added more fuel to an already-heated championship rivalry that seems to get renewed every May.

Coach Rick Shields knows his players still carry the scar of last year’s 3-1 title game loss to Masterman, which ended a previously undefeated season.

"They obviously didn’t like the result," Shields said. "Last year Masterman put a hurting on us."

Last season’s backup players are now starters, and determined to overcome their rival.

"I think [beating Masterman] is very important as a team because we lost to them in last year’s championship game," said sophomore Nelson Miranda, while taking a break from Tuesday’s practice at Palumbo Recreation Center, 10th and Fitzwater. "I want to prove myself and step up for the team."

The ultimate goal would be to repeat the feat of the 2001 squad, which won CAPA’s first Public League championship in any sport.

This year’s team had to make adjustments after the graduation of Public League all-stars Omar Malcolm, Ronald Gordon or Karuna Mum. But three-year starters Meshech Osbourne, a senior, and Marshall Smith, a junior, have emerged as the new team leaders.

"I think they are two of the best players in the league," Shields said.

Senior Danny Le, another four-year member of the team, is playing his first season as CAPA’s full-time setter. Junior Chris Llewellyn is the Pegasus’ defensive specialist. Shields said Miranda boosts the team’s power.

"He is just smashing the ball," the coach said.

The Pegasus program has come a long way since its induction into the Public League in 1998, when the team finished 5-10. Six years later, CAPA is one of the city’s most successful volleyball programs with two undefeated seasons, three Public League championship appearances and, of course, the 2001 title.

The feat is even more impressive since students come to CAPA to stretch their artistic, not athletic, abilities.

On Monday, in fact, several of the team members were busy practicing with the All-City Orchestra and All-City Chorus at the Kimmel Center. Senior Ryan Williams, who came to CAPA for vocal training two years ago, said he never expected to be contending for a Public League championship.

Miranda, an instrumental major, said he found out about the volleyball program when he came for an orientation. The North Philly resident, who liked playing the sport in middle school, attended the first practice and game freshman year, and was quickly hooked. The sophomore now has championship fever.

"I really started to take volleyball seriously at the beginning of this year because winning the championship is our goal," said Miranda, an accomplished trumpet player.

Unlike most city schools, CAPA doesn’t have football, basketball, baseball or softball teams. The year-round athletic schedule consists of girls’ cross-country and volleyball in the fall, swimming and gymnastics in the winter and boys’ volleyball and coed tennis in the spring.

The girls’ volleyball team made its own trip to the championship game last fall, losing to none other than — you guessed it — Masterman.

For the boys’ program, reaching the big game is nothing less than an expectation.

"I think when you get to the level we play at, all we want to do is play for a championship," Shields said, adding that not making it there "would be a disappointment, no question."

The team already has its postseason berth secured, although its seeding is still up in the air. The Pegasus will play Northeast at home tomorrow and Southern and Parkway next week. Winning those three matches is just the warm-up for the ultimate goal.

"This is my last year and I really want to win a championship," Williams said.