Mira Costa’s girls volleyball team hosts the first of two matches against rival Redondo Union on Thursday with the winner staking claim to first place in the Bay League.
The 7 p.m. match will also serve as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a tradition started by Mira Costa head coach Lisa Zimmerman years ago.
The Mustangs broke into the top ten in the CIF Southern Section Division 1-AA ranking last week for the first time this season and proved the pollsters correct by tying for third place Saturday in the 32-team Asics Cal Challenge hosted by Torrey Pines High School.
Outside hitter Skylar Caputo was named to the all-tournament team after the junior posted 57 kills during the weekend.
Mira Costa defeated Murrieta Valley, La Jolla Country Day (No. 10, San Diego Section) and Clovis West (No. 1, Central Section Div. 1) on Friday and opened competition Saturday with a win over Santa Margarita.
Playing in the eight-team championship bracket, Mira Costa had little trouble defeating St. Mary’s
(No. 5, San Joaquin Section) 25-14, 25-13 before losing to eventual champion Mater Dei 27-25, 16-25, 15-11. Mater Dei is ranked No. 6 in Division 1-AA.
Katie Rethmeyer recorded 37 kills for the tournament; Lan Nguyen added 36 and Erin Sagisi had 19.
Brooke Feld made 113 digs, Emma Smith had 42 digs and Sammy Furlan had 110 assists.
Redondo is ranked No. 3 in Division 1-AA, Mira Costa has moved in the sixth spot and Palos Verdes is No. 9.
Redondo swept Palos Verdes last Thursday and is preparing for a deep run in the playoffs.
Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani enjoyed success in her debut as a Sea Hawk after fulfilling her requirement to sit out until Oct. 7 following her transferring from defending CIF Division 1-AA champion Marymount.
Bedart-Ghani recorded 15 kills, four digs and two blocks in a 25-14, 25-18, 25-19 win over visiting Peninsula in Redondo’s Bay League opener.
Abril Bustamante looks healthy after suffering an abdominal strain earlier in the season.
“We are the healthiest we have been all year, although Leilani Martinez hasn’t played in weeks and won’t be available any time soon,” Redondo head coach Tommy Chaffins said. “Lauren Cordero who was going to make her debut with Yassmeen, injured her shoulder in practice last week and will require surgery and not play this season for us. Yaasmeen is one of the most dynamic attackers in the country, who is tough to stop. She is also a supportive teammate who is used to winning
“We are focusing on our side of the net, corny as that may sound. I know that the Redondo-Mira Costa game tends to be the most anticipated and spectated match in the South Bay, if not of all of California, and both sides will be talented, motivated, and I’m sure it will be a spirited contest.”
