Competing in the all-female Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Tachikara Classic held at Dockweiler State Beach, nine local athletes took home medals from five divisions of competition.
Winning gold in the 18U division were Katrina Kernochan (Manhattan Beach) and Bryce Park (Palos Verdes Estates) while Grace Campbell (Manhattan Beach) and Mia Merina (Tustin) continued their success on the sand courts by capturing the gold in the 16U age group.
Prior to the Tachikara Classic, Campbell and Merino beat out 53 other teams to win gold at the California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) 16U girls volleyball tournament in Huntington Beach.
Campbell plays volleyball at Marymount High School while Merino is a member of Foothill’s varsity squad.
In the 14U division at Tachikara, Pippa Monk-Heidrich (Manhattan Beach) and Mila Anderson (Danville) won silver medals.
Maia Hannemann (Hermosa Beach) and Mandalay Rennon (Newport Beach) were champions in the 12U division with Lindsey Kelly (Manhattan Beach) and Zoe Almanza (Los Angeles) winning bronze medals.
In the 10U age group, the Manhattan Beach team of Leah Kelly and Ava Gallien defeated Jackie Lecroix (Torrance) and Savannah Standage (San Pedro) in the championship match.
Upcoming events include a four-part Summer Series host by the AAU Southern Pacific Beach Volleyball Committee at Marine Avenue in Manhattan Beach. Competition begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays July 9-23 and Thursday, July 25 featuring boys 16U/14U/12U and girls 18U/16U/14U/12U/10U divisions.
Open to AAU members, the cost of the tournament in $53.49 per player. The tournament is also a qualifying event for the West Coast AAU Junior Olympic Games to be held in Hermosa Beach July 27-30.
On Saturday and Sunday, July 13-14, the AAU hosts its 20th Junior National Championship at the Hermosa Beach Pier. Competition begins at 9 a.m. showcasing boys and girls 18U/16U/14U/12U/10U divisions. Open to AAU members, the cost of the tournament in $70 per player ($60 for boys 10U, 18U and girls 10U). For more information, visit aaubeach.org or contact Gino Grajeda, spvcvolleyball@hotmail.com.
The CBVA will be holding the Mike Cook Marine Street Mixed tournaments Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Marine Street in Manhattan Beach. Competition includes coed teams of all levels and a Father/Daughter tournament. Cost is $42.50 per team. For more information, contact Kevin Cleary, 310-546-3619, kpcleary@yahoo.com.
On Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21, the CBVA will be holding the Jr. Manhattan Beach Open at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Play begins at 9 a.m. each day. Saturday’s action includes boys and girls 12U and 16U divisions. Sunday features boys and girls 14U and 18U divisions. Cost is $42.50 per team. For more information, contact JP Saikley, 310-220-9558 or visit cbva.com.
