Redondo’s girls volleyball team continued to show its dominance in the Bay League, defeating rival Mira Costa for the sixth straight time to take control of the league race Thursday in the first of two meetings between the teams.
Redondo (16-2, 3-0) displayed its power and speed beating Mira Costa 25-18, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16 in front of a raucous crown in Sea Hawk Pavilion.
“I thought the Mustangs played great and it was another fun, competitive match which is why we get these big crowds when we play each other,” Redondo coach Tommy Chaffins said. “It’s an electric event and I think there are very few college matches that have the environment we have.
Mira Costa (17-6, 5-1) rallied from an 11-6 deficit in the first set to close the gap at 13-12, but with Redondo leading 17-15, the Sea Hawks scored five straight points to pull away.
The Mustangs jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the second set before the Sea Hawks tied the score 11-11. Mira Costa regained the lead until Redondo tied the game 17-17.
Hayes Honea’s ace gave Redondo the win in a set that Chaffins felt was the key to winning the match.
“It was pivotal that we won that second set,” Chaffins said. “Costa coming back from 0-2 isn’t as likely as 1-1 when it’s a best 2-out-of-three and anything can happen. I’m glad we won and grinded it out. I don’t think we were on our best game but a lot of that goes to Costa who was serving well.”
Redondo’s Kristen Hamlin displayed her powerful swing, recording five of her match-high 16 kills in the second set.
“We know that in practice we have to compete against each other to get better,” Hamlin said. “We’re a really deep team and our second string always steps up and pushes us. It’s always nice to beat our rivals. I’m so happy right now.”
After a 1-1 tie, Mira Costa led throughout the third set that included consecutive aces by Keala Rusher who finished the match with three aces.
Skylar Caputo sealed the win with one of her 12 kills. Katie Rethmeyer also recorded 12 kills to lead the Mustangs.
“We had our ups and downs, but so did they,” Caputo said. “We’re disappointed we didn’t come out with a win but we’re looking forward to the next three weeks, putting things together and taking them out at our home game and share the Bay League title.”
Redondo never trailed in the fourth set that was capped off by another Honea ace. Megan Rice led the Sea Hawks 12 kills and Yazzie Bedart-Ghani recorded 11 kills. Setter Norene Iosia had 42 assists for the Sea Hawks.
Redondo is ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division 1AA and Mira Costa entered the match ranked No. 8. It was the first time Redondo had played a ranked team since defeating Marymount on Sept. 23.
“I always like winning in three but I knew Costa is a good team so we’ll take it,” Redondo outside hitter Abril Bustamante said. “It was a little hard coming out but we got into the feel of it as the match went on. We just focus on our side, whether we’re ranked first or last, it doesn’t matter. We want to get better every practice, every game and compete like no other.”
Hamlin said her team is not looking ahead to the next meeting between the rivals when Mira Costa hosts the Sea Hawks on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
“We don’t take anything for granted,” Hamlin said. “We know Costa is a really good team and so is Peninsula so we have to keep working hard.”
Redondo continues Bay League action Tuesday with a 4:15 p.m. match at Inglewood. The Sea Hawks will host Morningside on Thursday, Oct. 23 and a rematch with possible spoiler Peninsula on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m.
Mira Costa plays at Palos Verdes on Tuesday and hosts Peninsula on Thursday, Oct. 23.
