Before Megan Rice could play up to her championship level potential she had to learn what Sea Hawk coach Tommy Chaffins calls ‘next play focus’
Two years ago, Redondo girls volleyball coach Tommy Chaffins and asked his players whom they thought he was toughest on and made the most uncomfortable. They all pointed at sophomore Megan Rice.
Chaffins knew Rice had the athleticism and competitiveness to become a vital cog in Redondo’s volleyball program, but she needed to strengthen her mental game.
“There is a process about learning mental toughness and as far as I can tell, there isn’t any ‘nice and easy’ way to learn it,” Chaffins said. “An athlete has to go through struggles and learn how to respond to failure and most importantly, how to move on to the next play. I was tough on her as I have been on every player I have coached. When I say tough, it isn’t yelling, but holding the athlete accountable if they aren’t moving on to the next play.”
The lesson was well learned. The hard-swinging, 6-foot outside hitter has led Redondo to a second consecutive appearance in the CIF State Division 1 finals while enjoying an All-CIF caliber season as the team’s leading scorer.
Chaffins is known for his credo “next play focus” and he knew when Rice had reached that level.
“I can pinpoint the moment when I felt she had it. It was last season at Mira Costa,” Chaffins recalled. “We were down 0-2, and she led our comeback win. We wouldn’t have won state last year without Megan having superior next play focus. After that night, I didn’t have to make her feel uncomfortable any more, because she had it and I was so happy for her.”
Rice’s positive attitude and steady play have been key factors in Redondo’s success. The Sea Hawks entered the State finals with a 36-4 record, in what has been a pressure-packed season.
As defending State champions, Redondo has had a bullseye on its back throughout the season and with the graduation of stars Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani (Texas), Abril Bustamante (USC), Kristen Hamlin (Cal Poly) and Hayes Honea (Amherst), the load put on Rice’s shoulders would have slowed most players down.
Prior to the season, Chaffins named Rice co-captain along with fellow senior Norene Iosia, a four-year varsity starter who is arguably the best setter in the nation.
“I knew the pressure was coming,” Rice said. “Chaffins made my junior year super hard. He has always challenged me at practice and I think the experience of playing in so many important matches last year prepared me for this season.”
Chaffins said most people didn’t expect the Sea Hawks to reach the State championship after losing four talented seniors from last year’s squad and Redondo did drop a little bit this season. The Sea Hawks lost their bid for back-to-back CIF-SS Division 1AA titles, losing to Mater Dei in the championship match and they finished the regular season sharing the Bay League crown with rival Mira Costa.
“There is no secret to our team this season. We count on Megan to do so much for us offensively: serve, receive, and blocking,” Chaffins said. “She has had one of the best seasons of any outside hitter since I have been at Redondo. She is in the same conversation as any of the Dykstras (Devon/Lara/Skylar) and Yazzie (Bedart-Ghani). A top national program can’t exist without an outstanding outside hitter and we’re blessed to have one of the best in the country.
“Last year, teams couldn’t just focus on Megan due to the other players. This year, every team’s number one focus is to stop Megan. No one has.”
Rice volleyball success developed over a relatively brief time. She didn’t begin playing volleyball until she was a seventh grader at Hermosa Valley School, which is late for a player in the South Bay.
She played soccer and was a star player on her basketball team, but would often attend the club volleyball practices of her older brother Nathan, who subsequently played for Redondo.
“Nathan’s coach Dale Smith got me interested in volleyball by involving me in his practices,” Rice said. “I was only 5-foot- 5 in middle school and hadn’t really thought about playing volleyball. My dad wanted me to stick with basketball, but I really liked volleyball because it is a non-contact sport and truly a team sport. It takes every player to win.”
“Megan was so good at basketball,” her father Jeff said. “When you watch your kid, since the age of five be the player all the other kids would throw the ball to and then see her shoot three-pointers as an eight-year-old, it’s hard to make that transition. But when she started playing volleyball, it was obvious she would bring that same level of athleticism to the new game and I haven’t looked back at all.”
Rice was placed on the frosh/soph team to give her playing time although she could have battled for a spot on the JV team.
“She needed to play 100 percent of the time since she hadn’t played much volleyball,” Chaffins said. “I knew, she would be on varsity the following year because of her athleticism and competitiveness.”
During her first year at Redondo that she began a friendship with Iosia who, although also a freshman, was an assistant coach for her father Moe on the Frosh/Soph team.
“I still learn from Norene all the time,” Rice said. “Even though we’re the same age, I have always looked up to her. I’m so lucky to have a setter like her. She plays at a collegiate level and is a giant reason why we are where we are.”
“Megan has come a long way and has worked very hard the last few years,” Iosia said. “She’s been a rock for us and our go-to player this season. She can handle any type of pressure and always has a positive attitude on the court. When I get a little down, I can look at her and know that, hey, we got this.”
Rice feels her strength is her front row play and playing intelligently. She credits Chaffins and assistant coach Tiffany Rodriguez for finding new ways for her to score.
“Megan’s always had the ‘home run’ swing, but swinging for the fences isn’t always the right choice,” Chaffins explained. “I have been so pleased with her decision making and ability to score in a variety of ways, not just with the fastball. There are many of times when the right play is to snap the ball in, hopefully to an uncomfortable spot for our opponent and give our defense a chance to extend the point.”
Rice said last year’s five-set win over Mater Dei to win the Southern California Regional championship and upsetting Torrey Pines – the top ranked team in the state – on the road in the second round of this year’s regional tournament as her most memorable matches.
“The entire run to State title last year was something I’ll never forget,” Rice said. “That experience helped me become a better player. Playing in front of the giant crowd and having 32 kills at Torrey Pines was also a huge match for me.”
She said her favorite moment came when she killed the last point in Redondo’s come-from-behind, 5-set victory over rival Mira Costa to win the 2014 Bay League title.
Rice will take her talents to UC Santa Barbara next fall but has another goal set before she embarks on her college career.
“I really want to medal in the Junior Olympics,” she said., who will play for the Sunshine 18’s club team. “I’ve played for Nike West for the last three years and we made the Open Division at the Junior Olympics each year. It’s been a great experience playing against the best club teams across the country.”
Wanting to stay in California, Rice talked with coaches at a Loyola Marymount and San Diego State but chose UC Santa Barbara because of its beach setting and its proximity to her Hermosa Beach home.
“It’s far enough away from home but close enough so my family can watch me play,” Rice said. “I should be able to earn a starting position as a freshman. Many schools consider me too short at outside hitter and I love the game so much, I just want to play. I hope to help the team reach the NCAA tournament.”
Although only one year apart, Rice said older brother Nathan has been a major influence on her life.
“Nathan suffered a serious knee injury playing basketball,” Megan said. “His dedication and hard work to come back was inspiring. Plus, we’ve always had a sibling rivalry, which has made us super competitive.”
Along with Dale Smith, Rice credits Tiffany Rodriguez as playing vital roles in her volleyball career.
“Tiffany was my first coach at Hermosa Valley,” Rice said. “She came to Redondo to coach when I was a sophomore, so we’ve been through a lot together.”
Yet it is the bond between Rice and Chaffins that has produced yet another player on the list of Sea Hawk greats.
“He holds the bar so high for me,” Rice said. “I appreciate him working with me. Other coaches might focus on players needing more work but he gives me just as much attention.”
Chaffins said Rice’s enthusiasm for the success of her teammates along with her leadership, traits are what make a champion.
“Megan always gives full effort on every play, sacrificing her body every practice,” Chaffins said. “It sets the tone of a gym culture when your best athletes lay it out in practice like Megan does.”
They joke about it now, but every so often Chaffins will ask Rice if she remembers how he used to make her feel uncomfortable – usually in front of the team when another player has to go through the same treatment.
Rice says it made her better but admits it wasn’t any fun.
“Credit should also go to her parents, Jeff and Lisa, for allowing her to go through that process,” Chaffins said. “I think many parents today are quick to try to ‘fix’ their kid’s athletic/school issues. They allowed Megan to go through the process of personal growth.Young people have to learn to advocate for themselves, go through the learning process and figure out ways to be successful. I knew Megan’s competitiveness would help her figure out what she needed to do so I would get off her back.”
