The Bay League boys volleyball season opens with a bang this week with Redondo hosting rival Mira Costa at 6 p.m. Thursday and, despite being the league-opener for both teams, the outcome will undoubtedly have playoff implications down the road.
Both teams gained valuable experience last weekend playing six matches apiece in the highly-competitive 32-team Best of the West tournament in Poway. Mira Costa, the defending champion, finished in a tie for 5th place in the Gold Division while Redondo placed 6th in the Silver Division.
Mira Costa head coach Mike Ninnis hopes the competition helps his squad, citing varsity experience as the teams’ weakness entering the season.
“We have depth at most positions and are an enthusiastic team,” Ninnis said. “Our intense and spirited practices, along with the experience of playing in big matches will make us a stronger team.”
Ninnis said seniors Brooks Varni (libero), Jackson Carr (setter), Keith Waddell (outside hitter), and Karl Acres (middle blocker) will be keys to start the year.
“We will be counting on juniors Riley Mallon (outside hitter), Scott Stephanoff (opposite), and Ryan Kaseff (middle blocker) to make significant contributions,” Ninnis added “We also figure that there will be a number of other players challenging for playing time, including (but not limited to) Kevin Inlow, Michael Debevec, Chris Griebenow, Duncan Lau, Grant Chalmers, and Casey White. When three-year varsity player Chris Orenic returns from his injured wrist, he will certainly be in the mix.”
The Mustangs were ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 preseason poll but will drop out of the top spot after second-ranked Loyola defeated fifth-ranked Servite to win the Gold Division title in the Beach of the West tournament.
Mira Costa finished second in its pool defeating Long Beach Poly 25-16, 25-19 and Dos Pueblos 25-19, 25-16 before dropping hard fought match to Westview (San Diego) 29-27, 18-25, 15-7.
Mallon had 27 kills in the three matches on Friday, Waddell added 17 kills, Kaseff had 15 kills, Stephanoff contributed 12 kills, Carr recorded 64 assists and Varni had 20 digs.
The Mustangs got off to a good start Saturday, knocking off Huntington Beach (No. 3 in Div. 1) 25-23, 25-20 but fell to eventual champion Loyola 25-12, 25-19 in the next round. Mira Costa rebounded to defeat Oak Park (No. 3 in Div. 2) 25-17, 27-25.
Stephanoff led the Mustangs with 14 kills on the day while Mallon added 13 kills.
Varni was named to the All-Tournament team as was Manhattan Beach resident Michael Mullahey, a setter playing for Loyola.
Ninnis knows a win against Redondo will give his team a leg up in the tough Bay League race that includes a strong Palos Verdes team that was ranked No. 9 in the Division 1 preseason poll and finished tied for 11th in the Gold Division at the Best of the West tournament.
“I do not know much about the Redondo team this year other than that they won their tournament and have a very good sophomore starter (Louis Richard),” Ninnis said. “We did not get a chance to see them in San Diego, but expect them to play us tough.”
Mira Costa had one last tune-up before meeting Redondo, sweeping host Orange Lutheran 25-15, 25-19, 25-17 on Tuesday behind Carr’s 34 assists. Kaseff posted nine kills Waddell added eight kills and six digs to lead the Mustangs.
Redondo coach Duncan Avery said his team will need to play its ‘A’ game to defeat a powerful Mira Costa squad.
“They’re (Mira Costa) big and physical and do a lot of things well,” Avery said. “We have our work cut out for us but if we can control the cornerstones of the games – serving and passing – we have a good shot to win.”
Redondo enters Thursday’s rivalry match after an impressive 25-11, 25-17, 25-22 win over visiting Bishop Montgomery (No. 6 in Div. 4) on Tuesday. Louis Richard led the attack with 11 kills and four aces. Austin Bowen added eight kills and Nick Williamson recorded 35 assists and three blocks in the victory.
The Sea Hawks are a young team with Avery relying on a talented group of sophomores led by outside hitter Richard.
“Richard is a special player and one of the top sophomores in the country,” Avery exclaimed. “He’s our go-to-guy in crunch time. He had a remarkable 43 swings in the three sets against Punahou in the Best of the West tournament.”
Avery is also impressed with the passing ability of sophomore libero Tyler Bird and the play of sophomore outside hitter Vinny Pizutti who missed the Best of the West tournament.
After winning its own Redondo Tournament, the Sea Hawks gained valuable experience in Poway last weekend in what is considered the most competitive boys volleyball tournament on the west coast.
Redondo began pool play with a hard fought 23-25, 25-23, 15-12 loss to perennial power Punahou of Hawaii. After a 26-24, 25-21 loss to Westlake (No. 4 in Div. 1), the Sea Hawks rebounded to beat Edison 25-15, 25-19.
Competing in the Silver Division, Redondo fell to Bellarmine 25-11, 25-17 before defeating La Costa Canyon 25-13, 20-25, 15-13. The Sea Hawks concluded tournament play with a 25-15, 25-20 loss to third-place finisher Brophy Prep (Phoenix, AZ).
“We were only a couple of play away from playing in the Gold Division,” Avery said. “But we gained a lot of experience which will help us in future matches.”
While Avery admits his team needs to work on its passing and is a “streaky serving team,” he is excited about the Sea Hawk’s defense led by 6-foot-4 middle blocker Bowen.
“We have former Redondo and USC standout Austin Zahn in charge of our blocking system and it’s paying off,” Avery added.
