Unranked in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 preseason poll, the Redondo boys volleyball team made a statement last weekend by successfully defending the title of its own 32-team tournament.
Led by tournament MVP Louis Richard, the Sea Hawks defeated Bay League rival Palos Verdes (No. 9 in Div. 1) 26-24, 21-15, 15-11 to win the Redondo Tournament.
Redondo began the tournament Friday defeating Rio Mesa 25-9, 25-16 and Notre Dame 25-17, 25-21. Richard posted 27 kills, 10 digs and nine blocks on the day while Vinny Pizutti recorded 20 kills and 13 digs.
In the quarterfinals, Redondo knocked off Fountain Valley 27-25, 25-17 before defeating Burroughs of Burbank, the No. 2 team in Division 3, 25-18, 25-19.
Richard, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, recorded 36 kills, 23 digs, 13 aces and eight blocks in the three games on Saturday. Middle blocker Austin Bowen (20 kills, 13 blocks) and libero Tyler Bird (43 digs) were also named to the all-tournament team.
On Tuesday, Redondo hosted the third ranked team in Division 1 giving Mater Dei all it could handle in a 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 in a non-league loss. Richard led the Sea Hawks with 13 kills and 10 digs, Bowen posted nine kills and four blocks and Pizutti recorded nine kills and two blocks.
Redondo travels to Poway this weekend to compete in the 32-team Best of the West tournament, which features 13 teams ranked in the top 10 from the CIF Southern Section including nine of the top 10 from Division 1.
Mira Costa, the Best of the West defending champion, is looking for a repeat performance. Coach Mike Ninnis’ squad is the top ranked team in Division 1 and opened its season with an impressive 25-18, 25-14, 25-18 sweep of Santa Barbara.
Riley Mallon led the Mustangs with 15 kills, Keith Waddell had 11 kills and 11 digs and Scott Stephanoff added eight kills in the victory.
Top-seeded Mira Costa opens pool play in the Best of the West tournament Friday at 3 p.m. taking on Long Beach Poly. The Mustangs will then face Dos Pueblos and Westview before bracket play begins on Saturday.
Redondo opens with Hawaiian perennial power Punahou followed by Westlake (No. 6 in Div. 1) and Edison.
Bay League competition begins Thursday, March 15 when Redondo hosts rival Mira Costa in a 6 p.m. match.
