Top-ranked Redondo girls defeat Mira Costa in volleyball showdown
Sophomore Kami Miner recorded 10 kills in Redondo’s 3-1 victory against rival Mira Costa. Photo
It took awhile to get on track, but Redondo’s girls volleyball team quickly responded defeating rival Mira Costa 3-1 in a home match.
In what was the first of two meetings between the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 powers, Redondo is No. 1 while Mira Costa is No. 4, the Sea Hawks got a wakeup call when the Mustangs fought off two set points to win a thrilling 28-26 first set.
“After set one, we started to block a bit better, which allowed our defenders to be able to hold their ground, which then led to more opportunities to score on serve,” Redondo coach Tommy Chaffins said. “I thought our experience was a key factor. Emotions can run quite high in the Redondo/Costa game and I thought we did a great job of just staying the course, moving on to the next play, and played fairly consistent volleyball the rest of the night.”
Redondo’s deep and talented lineup had little trouble once it got on track. Jasmine Davis led the Sea Hawks with 15 kills while Kami Miner had 10, Jylen Whitten and Jesse Szymanski added eight apiece and Ava Kirunchyk contributed six. Libero Nalani Iosia had five aces and digs.
“Every night, we have future college players who are on the bench, just waiting their turn,” Chaffins said. “I thought Jesse Szymanski really created a spark for our team when she came off the bench and started set 2 and the rest of the night for us. I liked the decisions and defense our setters Kami Miner and Emily Mitter played last night as well.”
Memphis Glasgow and Rochelle Scott led Mira Costa with 10 kills apiece.
Redondo, who lost to Assumption of Kentucky in the Durango Fall Classic, is ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Assumption in the MaxPreps Excellent 25 Writer’s Poll.
Redondo opened Bay League action with a 25-18, 25014, 25-12 sweep of Palos Verdes and travel to take on No. 16 Harvard-Westlake Saturday at 5:45 p.m. The Sea Hawks resume Bay League action with a home match against Leuzinger on Tuesday.
“The Harvard-Westlake match is another great opportunity to prepare for the playoffs,” Chaffins added. “They have many outstanding players, and if we want to achieve special team accomplishments, you have to go on the road and beat strong teams. This Saturday, my team and I welcome that challenge.”
Redondo opened Bay League action with a 25-18, 25014, 25-12 sweep of Palos Verdes and travel to take on No. 16 Harvard-Westlake Saturday at 5:45 p.m. The Sea Hawks resume Bay League action with a home match against Leuzinger on Tuesday.
Mira Costa travels up the hill to take on Palos Verdes in a 3:30 p.m. match on Friday then returns home to face Peninsula on Tuesday.