Local prep athletes earn All-CIF, Bay League honors

Volleyball standout Michael Mullahey headed a group of local athletes recognized for their achievements during the spring high school sports season that was highlighted by a 19-match season-ending winning streak by Mira Costa’s boys volleyball that earned the Mustangs a CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship and Southern California Division 2 Regional title and a No. 2 national ranking.

Boys Volleyball

Manhattan Beach resident and Loyola setter Michael Mullahey was named the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Player of the Year after leading the Cubs to a 36-2 record, the CIF Southern California Regional Division 1 championship and a No. 3 national ranking.

Mira Costa had four players honored from its CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship squad that finished its championship season with a 35-4 record after a thrilling five-set win over Oak Park in the CIF Southern California Division 2 Regional championship match.

Setter Jackson Carr, libero Brooks Varni, middle blocker Karl Acres and opposite hitter Scott Stephanoff were named to the All-CIF Division 1 team for the Mustangs which finished second in the nation in the Powerade Fab 50 rankings.

In Division 3, South Torrance’s Andy Gage was named CIF Player of the Year while his coach, Kevin McElwee was voted Coach of the Year. The Spartan’s libero Vinnie Rios and middle blocker Peter Nordel made the All-CIF team as did El Segundo outside hitter Bobby Romano.

Chadwick’s Michael Cass was named the CIF Division 5 Coach of the Year while his setter James Lenihan, outside hitter Hank Trumbull and libero Jordan Lucier were first team selections. Vistamar outside hitters Colin McCall and Jacob Bolsz were also All-CIF selections

The George Mason-bound Carr was named the Bay League Most Valuable Player recording 1,141 assists and 140 digs while directing a Mira Costa offensive lineup that incurred many changes throughout the season.

Varni, who will take his talents to USC in the fall, was selected the Bay League Defensive Player of the Year after making 341 digs during a season where Mira Costa played 18 matches against teams ranked in the top 50 in the nation, nine of which were against top-10 teams.

Joining Carr and Varni on the All-Bay League First Team were fellow Mustangs Acres (174 kills, 40 blocks), Stephanoff (245 kills, 50 blocks, 60 digs) and junior Riley Mallon (232 kills, 118 digs).

Sophomore standout Louis Richard represented Redondo as a First Team selection.

Second Team members included Mira Costa’s Keith Waddell and Ryan Kaseff and Redondo sophomores Vinny Pizzuti and Tyler Bird.

Softball

Mira Costa catcher Katie Saunders was named Bay League Most Outstanding Player and earned All-CIF Division 3 honors after batting .449 with 11 doubles, four triples, 29 RBIs and 33 runs scored while leading the Mustangs to the CIF Southern Section quarterfinals and a championship at the Katella Tournament.

All-Bay League first team members included Mira Costa outfielder Taylor Glover (.506, 11 doubles, seven triples, 30 RBIs, 40 runs scored and a perfect 23-for-23 in stolen base attempts) and infielders Ulofa Leilua (.474, 15 doubles, four home runs, five triples, 44 RBIs, 33 runs) and Meghan von Behren (.471, 12 doubles, seven triples, five home runs, 34 RBIs, 42 runs).

Redondo was represented by utility player Analise Nicholson who batted .486 with four doubles, one triple, 14 RBIs and 23 runs scored.

Second team selections included Mira Costa pitcher Breanna Kelly, infielder Stefanni Lajeunesse along with Redondo infielders Sandy Guerrero and Haley Reed.

Joining Saunders on the All-CIF Division 3 team were local players Vanessa Gonzalez (North Torrance), Carolyn Snodgress (South Torrance), Alex Kossoff (South Torrance) and Christina Washington (Torrance).

Baseball

Redondo pitcher/infield Matt Esparza was named the Bay League Most Outstanding Player. On the hill, the senior recorded an 8-3, and 1.66 ERA striking out 70 batters in 76 innings. At the plate, Esparza batted .402 with four home runs, nine doubles, two triples, 16 RBIs. He also scored a team-high 19 runs.

All-Bay League first team selections included Mira Costa infielders Turner Conrad (.383, 24 runs scored) and pitcher/outfielder Anthony Lombardo (.326, 17 RBIs, 2.35 ERA) along with Redondo first baseman/pitcher Dylan Hatch (.347, 5 home runs, 22 RBIs, 2.61 ERA) and infielders Nick Granado (.356, five doubles, 18 RBIs, 12 runs) and Fred Smith (.337, five doubles, two triples, 10 RBIs, 19 runs scored).

Members of the second team included Mira Costa first baseman Ryan Franklin, catcher Austin Henning and outfielder Kevin Lopez. Redondo was represented by outfielder Cameron Benett and catcher Jake Jimenez.

Girls Lacrosse

Redondo attacker Micayla Kotzbach earned co-MVP honors with Palos Verdes’ Becca Golding while Mira Costa’s Lia Sepanek was named the Bay League’s Most Outstanding Player.

First team members included Mira Costa’s Carly McGuire, Taylor Pool and Susanna Sieke along with Redondo’s Ally Barry, Hailey Newman and Brittany Ross.

Second team selections included Mira Costa’s Noelle Claycomb, Alexandria Kurugian, Taylor St. Germain and Redondo’s Heather Czech, Emily Field and Ariel Mistuloff.

Boys Lacrosse

All-Bay League first team selections included Mira Costa’s Chris O’Brien, Dakota Randall and Redondo’s Harrison Faecher.

Second team members included Mira Costa’s Aaron Hafdell and Jeremy Silva.

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