Drew Fagundas would make a perfect study in courage and determination.

The past four years have been a physical struggle for the Washington Township senior. But through it all he never quit trying and never felt sorry for himself.

It was just four years ago in Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, Fagundas was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the small intestine.

The disease zaps the energy out of Fagundas at times along with having intense stomach pains and an assortment of other problems.

"I had never heard of the disease before," Fagundas said. "But after a while you learn to live with it but you really never can get used to it."

But through the agony and the fatigue Fagundas has played soccer, basketball and volleyball for the Minutemen all four years.

"I was just determined this thing wouldn't stop me from playing sports," he said. "I admit sometimes it has been tough, real tough. The thing that bothers me the most is it sometimes puts me in a bad mood and I just don't like feeling that way."

Through all the pain and constant battle with fatigue Fagundas remembers only one time he couldn't continue.

"That was in a soccer game," he said. "The second half came and I told the coach I just couldn't go. But that's the only time I let this disease get me down in sports."

The on-going battle with the disease includes taking 24 pills a day and every eight weeks or so a trip to Children's Hospital for an infusion of the drug Remicade.

"The infusion takes about three hours," he said. "I use to hate needles but now it doesn't bother me that much. I usually sleep through the treatment."

"Drew is such a special young man," Washington Township coach Barbara McBrearty says. "He is an outstanding all-around athlete as well as an outstanding leader both on and off the court.

"He can be having a bad day but you would never know it. It's such a pleasure to be around him."

Fagundas' courage and determination has won him the Joe Haas Award for 2005.

The award is in memory of the late Joe Haas, who is generally recognized as the person most responsible for the growth of volleyball in South Jersey.

Many years ago he started volleyball leagues for all ages and levels at Collingswood High School. He remained very active until an illness prohibited him from participating.

Even while undergoing treatments for his illness he was not a stranger to the volleyball community. He would show up at a league and make sure everything was running smoothly. Not many people were aware of the seriousness of his illness.

Haas finally lost his long and courageous battle with cancer in 1997 and after his death the Joe Haas Memorial Award was established.

The award recognizes the individual who plugs away every day and one who maximizes his abilities. The individual must possess courage and heart and enjoys every minute he is on the volleyball court.

Sure sounds like Drew Fagundas. American domination

The American Division dominated interdivision play in the Olympic Conference this season.

Certainly that is understandable since the American Division is composed of the six largest schools in the conference and for the most part composed of the most established programs.

The American Division went 46-8 against the combined Patriot and National Division teams. Eastern was 7-0, Cherry Hill West 9-1, Washington Township 9-1, Williamstown 7-1, Cherry Hill East 7-2 and Pennsauken 7-3.

The only team that fared pretty well against American Division teams was Moorestown. The Quakers went 4-3. Nice touch

Prior to the thrilling Moorestown-Cherry Hill West state tournament match Wednesday, West coach Scott Sweeten did something classy.

He individually introduced each senior on both teams much to the delight of the couple hundred of fans that attended the match. It was a nice touch.