Santa Barbara ophthalmologist and volleyball player/coach Dr. Steve Zelko was a double gold-medal winner at the recent USA Volleyball Open National Championships in Orlando, Fla.
Zelko was part of national championship teams in the men’s 60-over and 55-over divisions. He served as the assistant coach and played libero for the Live Rishi 60 team and was the head coach/libero for the Live Rishi 55 squad.
In the 60-over gold medal match, Live Rishi outlasted Western States Laguna in three sets, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12. For the 55-over title, Live Rishi beat Balboa in a double final. They won the first match 25-22, 25-18 and took the one-set championship final, 27-25.
Overall, Live Rishi went 8-0 in matches and 16-1 in sets in the 60-over division and 11-1 (21-4) in the 55s.
Dave Goss, the head boys volleyball coach at San Marcos, was named the MVP in the 55-over division. Goss is a San Marcos alum and a former Stanford volleyball All-American.
Zelko has been part of the local volleyball scene for years, serving as a volunteer coach for club teams and high school and college programs. He recently helped Bishop Diego win its first CIF-SS boys volleyball title.
“From high school and club teams to the college level, his involvement has lifted everyone around him,” said Bishop Diego coach Dillan Bennett told Noozhawk. “There’s no doubt his influence has played a huge part in our success over these last seven seasons. “Those of us who know him are lucky to call him a friend.”
