Mira Costa, Redondo boys prepare for battles on the volleyball court
Junior Sebastian Rodriguez is among the athletes expected to lead Redondo’s boys volleyball team in its quest for the Bay League title. Photo
The Bay League race for the boys volleyball title looks like it will once again come down to Mira Costa and Redondo, although Palos Verdes and Peninsula hope to be in the mix with an upset or two.
Redondo began its season last weekend hosting the Redondo Varsity Classic. After a 25-15, 25-21 win against Chatsworth, the Sea Hawks fell to Los Alamitos 25-23, 20-25, 15-10.
The Sea Hawks host Loyola tonight at 6 p.m. then travel to El Segundo on Tuesday.
This year’s squad is led by college commits outside hitters Inaki Bustamante (Lewis) and Sebastian Rodriguez (Long Beach State), middle blocker Gabriel Miranda (Stanford) along with setter Keagan Benson, opposite hitter Rees Barnett, middle blocker Matt Iamaleava and libero Mark Marolda.
“We have some depth with guys stepping in at many positions,” Redondo coach Kevin Norman said. “Ristin Sahebi (outside hitter), Jackson Nigg (opposite hitter), Christian Thomas (middle blocker), Tucker Merritt (middle blocker), Max Micheletti (setter) and Cameron Stern (libero) will compete for playing time.”
Norman is excited about the season and his team of smart players.
“This group is incredibly talented, hard working, competitive and intelligent student athletes, as our program-wide average GPA is 3.6 with eight varsity players at a 4.0 or better,” Norman stated. “They also have great energy and just seem to love playing volleyball which really helps too.”
Defending Bay League champion Mira Costa looks for a repeat and will travel to Santa Barbara to face the Dons on Friday then at El Segundo for a 4:30 p.m. match on Wednesday.
Coach Avery Drost’s Mustang squad then plays in the Best of the West tournament at Poway High School Mar. 8-9.
Also on the 2019 schedule is non-league rival Loyola, Corona Del Mar (CIF Champs last season), Newport Harbor (CIF Runner-up last year) and Palisades (with 4 D1 commits).
Mira Costa is led by a strong group of players who are competing in their third year at the varsity level including seniors Lauch Farris (5-11 libero), Thomas Kretschmer (6-2 outside hitter), Chase Pinkerton (6-1 opposite) and Adam Sevier (6-6 middle blocker) along with juniors Luke Snyder (6-3 setter) and Jack Walmer (6-3 setter).
Mira Costa’s senior middle blocker Adam Sevier is among the talented athletes coach Avery Drost will depend on this season. Photo
The tallest member of the Mustangs is 6-foot-7 junior middle blocker Dain Johnson.
“This season two key players for us are captains Thomas Kretschmer and Adam Sevier,” coach Avery Drost said. “Both were a big part of our season last year, and this year they will do a lot offensively and defensively and set an important tone for the team with their leadership. The same is true for Will Bond, our third captain, who is the vocal leader of the team and pushes the team in practice.
“Farris is a candidate for all Bay League at his position as is Walmer, who has grown and improved every year and recently committed to the University of Hawaii. Finally, it will be exciting to watch sophomore outside hitter Ben Coordt, who is a first year on varsity. He is showing amazing potential and playing with maturity way beyond his age.”
Drost is excited about how well the Mustangs play together and the talent at every position.
“We pass well, have reliable options at both pins, the middle, and out of the back row.” Drost said. “The guys are unselfish and compete really hard on defense. We will compete for a Bay League title if we keep paying attention to the details. Redondo is very talented and experienced this year, even tougher than last year. Peninsula has a strong team with physical seniors at both pins, they are a serious threat. It’s another deep year in the Bay League, but this year ever more so than usual.”