Winning back-to-back State Championships undoubtedly puts a bullseye on a team’s back, but Redondo’s girls volleyball appears up to the challenge with many new faces.
“I’m really excited for the season. Each year is different and I’m looking forward to see what lineup emerges for our team,” Redondo head coach Tommy Chaffins said. “We lost some amazing seniors, but thus far I’ve been proud of each player’s efforts and we’ve had great chemistry.”
Redondo begins its quest for Bay League, CIF and State championships Thursday when the Sea Hawks host a talented Bishop Montgomery team at 6 p.m. Orange Lutheran invades Sea Hawk Pavilion on Tuesday for a non-league match that will serve as a tuneup for Redondo before it plays in the prestigious Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas Sept. 16-17.
In August, Redondo captured the Oxnard Tournament defeating Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals, Trabuco Hills (a rematch of the SoCal D1 Regional Championships last year) then Lakewood in the finals.
After earning a starting spot as a freshman, hard-swinging sophomore and USC-commit Kyla Doig returns to lead Redondo.
“Simply put, Kyla Doig a winner,” Chaffins said. “She nearly wins every competition in practice and raises the level of everyone when she is on the court. She has a similar game to [former Sea Hawk] Abril Bustamante. I see why USC wants both of those kids.”
Also returning is senior Maddie Relaz, who begins her third season as a starter.
“She has been in all the biggest matches you could ever be in high school,” Chaffins said. “She has been a great captain thus far and she will need to share her experience with her less experienced teammates.”
Although she will miss the home opener, junior Brooklyn Schirmer is a transfer from Lakewood who is a top-50 player in her class, committed to USC and on the USA Junior Youth National Team.
“Brooklyn is what every coach wants – a tall, skilled, tireless worker who has such a calm demeanor,” Chaffins commented. “She will be a fan favorite quickly at Sea Hawk Pavilion.”
Chaffins will have a committee of setters to replace four-year starter and 2015 CIF-SS Division 1AA Player of the Year Norene Iosia.
Junior Kira Zimmerman has the most experience and will be challenged by sophomores Maddie Turner and Emily Mitter along with freshman Nalani Iosia.
Senior outside hitter Naomi Leilua has vastly improved and is competing with freshman Lauren Osborne
“People know about Kyla Doig, but everyone is quickly going to find out about fellow sophomore Jasmine Davis,” Chaffins said of the middle blocker. “Jasmine has been killing it in practice and will be one of our top point scorers for the rest of her career. I don’t think many teams, if any, will have a stronger middle attack than ours will be this year.”
Battling for the libero position are seniors Jessy Koopman, Rachael Arrigo, junior Kelly Dickinson and freshman Nalani Iosia.
