Classic matches between the girls volleyball teams from Mira Costa and Redondo have become commonplace over the last few years and Thursday’s showdown at Redondo expects to be no different.
Slated for 7 p.m., the contest pits the Sea Hawks, ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 1AA, against the No. 7 Mustangs in the first of two league meetings between the rivals. Redondo swept the series in 2013.
Redondo defeated a determined Peninsula team last Friday 23-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-21 in match where the Sea Hawks had to come from behind after dropping the first set and falling behind 16-10 in the second game.
Yazzie Bedart-Ghani led Redondo with 18kills, Megan Rice added15 kills, Kristen Hamlin had 14 kills and setter Norene Iosia recorded 39 assists.
“Peninsula gave us a great battle,” Redondo head coach Tommy Chaffins said. “We hadn’t had a competitive match in almost two weeks. I hope that match will help us gain some momentum going into the Mira Costa match. We’re excited for it and everyone is healthy for the first time in awhile.”
Peninsula gave Redondo its first challenge since the Sea Hawks be Marymount (currently ranked No. 4) 17-25, 25-23, 25-17, 11-25, 16-14 on Sept. 23.
Mira Costa competed in the California Challenge in Torrey Pines last weekend where the Mustangs finished as champions of the Silver Bracket.
After being stunned by Rancho Cucamonga (No. 10, Div. 1A) 25-22, 25-23 in the first pool play match, Mira Costa rebounded to defeat Clovis West 25-22, 25-19 and Del Norte 25-19, 25-18.
A 25-21, 16-25, 15-11 loss to Santa Margarita sent Mira Costa to the Silver Division where the Mustangs edged Francis Parker (San Diego) 25-23, 22-25, 15-13 and swept JSerra 27-25, 25-16 before defeating Torrey Pines in two sets for 9th place in the 32-team tournament. Top-seeded Torrey Pines entered the tournament ranked No. 10 in the nation.
“We had a rough first match, but the girls bounced back extremely well and played great the rest of the tournament, culminating with the win against Torrey Pines,” Mira Costa coach Hayley Lawson-Blanchard said. “We played Torrey Pines in Las Vegas at the Durango Fall Classic, but did not have a great match against them there, so it was so awesome to see our girls out for revenge and playing like they did. We considered this an alternative final match and played it with high energy as such.
“Katrina Kernochan had a breakout tournament for us, playing outside hitter, right side hitter, and defensive specialist. Her powerful arm swing was able to break through blocks, and her strong defense and serve really helped carry the team.”
Lawson-Blanchard noted the defensive effort from Skylar Caputo and Emma Smith and sophomore outside hitter Alexa Underwood who came out strong and confident in the last match, hitting over a large Torrey Pines right side block.
“Our girls finished really strong this weekend and we know that high level of play and energy is going to carry us into Thursday against Redondo,” Lawson-Blanchard said. “This is the match everyone is pumped up the most for, and we can’t wait for it to get here.”
