MURRIETA — Erik Hollis traveled many paths before reaching his destination point.
“My dad, before I got to high school, wanted me to try every sport,” Hollis said. “So by the time that I got to high school, I could choose one and perfect it.”
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Hollis was still figuring out what course to take his freshman year at Vista Murrieta High School. He ran cross country in the fall and wrestled in the winter. When spring arrived, Hollis decided to try his hand at lacrosse. And just like that, the search was over. Hollis had found the sport he was destined to play.
“Lacrosse was the most fun to work hard at,” he said. “It felt very linear to me. The amount of time I was putting in, that was how much I was improving.”
Hollis worked his way up the ranks over his four years in the program, starting out on the junior varsity as a freshman before getting a late-season call-up to the varsity squad. Hollis improved every year and put together his finest campaign his final season with the Broncos. The senior midfielder led the team with 79 points (61 goals, 18 assists) and 66 ground balls. Hollis helped Vista Murrieta win the Southwestern League’s title for the second straight season.
For those reasons, Hollis has been selected the IE Varsity Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year for the 2025 season.
Hollis proved a fast learner, and Vista Murrieta coach Even Daarstad attributes that to the skills Hollis brought from all of the other sports he competed in.
“Erik has great stamina, something that obviously came from running cross country,” Daarstad said. “His motor is non-stop, and his speed and athleticism puts him in advantageous positions on the field. … He also has that ability to change things up and go in different directions, and that is very special to see.
“Wrestling is a physical and grueling sport, and he brought that mentality over to lacrosse, as well. He gets dinged up a little, but he just keeps going hard.”
Hollis said his conditioning from cross country and wrestling got him noticed right away while he was still learning the techniques and nuances of the sport. Hollis has always possessed a powerful shot (clocked at over 100 miles per hour), but he continued to add new wrinkles to become an even better player.
“Between his sophomore and junior year, we told him he needed to develop a shot from the left,” Daarstad said. “He came back a few months later with a great left. Erik is one of hardest worker when it comes to the commitment to becoming a better player. He spends a lot of time on his own improving skills.”
Added Hollis: “I have to give the credit to my coaches. Coach Daarstad and coach (Tim) Fox keep pushing me every single day to become a better player.”
And Hollis holds himself to high standards, as well.
“I wasn’t really happy with how I played my junior year,” Hollis said. “I was ready to work in the offseason to make sure I wasn’t feeling the same way after my senior year. I worked all summer and winter, and by the time the season came I felt like this was going to be a good year for me.”
Hollis posted some impressive numbers as a senior, especially considering he didn’t play the second halves of many league games that turned into routs.
“His growth as a team player impressed me,” Daarstad said. “He sees the whole field. He does great things on his own, but he also makes others better.”
Hollis, who was the Southwestern League Offensive MVP, will continue his lacrosse journey at Concordia University, an NCAA Division II school in Irvine.
“I know I’m going to have to raise my game even further to keep up with those guys,” Hollis said of playing collegiately. “It’s not going to be easy, but I’m excited for that challenge. It’s just another thing to reach for and keep grinding for.”
IE VARSITY COACH OF THE YEAR
Kyle Gilbert, King
Gilbert took over the varsity program this season after serving as the program’s junior varsity coach for three years. The Wolves got off to a rough start, dropping six of their first eight matches of the season. Things picked up around midseason, and King reached the championship match of Big VIII League carousel tournament. And then history was made. The Wolves went on a magical postseason ride, knocking off the top two seeded teams to capture the CIF Southern Section’s Division 3 championship. King trailed at halftime in the semifinals and finals but allowed three combined goals in the second half.
IE VARSITY FIRST TEAM
Alexander Apotrosoaei, Corona, Sr.
Dominic Bonaventura, Temecula Valley, Sr.
Evan Brown, Great Oak, Sr.
Austin Ellis, Santiago, Sr.
Drew Files, Vista Murrieta, Sr.
Garrett Frye, Santiago, Jr.
Logan Gilbert, King, Jr.
Erik Hollis, Vista Murrieta, Sr.
Ryan Mushaney, Riverside Poly, Jr.
Jude Perea, Linfield Christian, So.
Alex Perez, Corona, Sr.
Luke Phalen, Centennial, Sr.
Zeke Riley, Vista Murrieta, Jr.
Ryan Sanchez, King, Sr.
Philip Shirley, Centennial, Jr.
Colin Sproul, Temecula Valley, Sr.
Grayson Vanhaaster, Vista Murrieta, Jr.
Kale Van Lierop, King, Sr.
Triston Watters, Chaparral, Sr.
Peyton Williams, Linfield Christian, So.
