Redondo remains unbeaten in Bay
Redondo avenged its lone loss of the 2009 regular season by defeating Mira Costa for the first time on Mustang turf. The explosive offense of the Sea Hawks put up nine unanswered goals by halftime before defeating their cross-town rival 13-4.
Redondo’s Chantel Celotto slips by Mira Costa goalkeeper Megan Dilfey to score one of her three goals in the Sea Hawk’s 13-4 road victory. Photo
With the victory, Redondo remained undefeated in Bay League competition as the squad – in only it fourth year of existence — prepares for a deep run in the playoffs.
Chantel Celotto recorded three goals and four assists for the Sea Hawks while Julia Denney scored three goals and Tully Tampakes and Meesha Robinson added two goals each for Redondo.
Robin Brown led Mira Costa with three goals.
“Our goal right now is to win the last three Bay League games, to go undefeated in Bay league and win our second League Championship in a row,” said Tom Borgia, who serves as co-head coach alongside Erin Garnsey. “The girls would have never dreamed that would be possible two years ago, after only winning 4-5 games in their first two seasons.”
Borgia stated that the Sea Hawks have changed their strategy as the post season approaches and the team makes a title run for the North Division of the Southern Section where the champion will advance to face the Orange County champion in the final.
“In the last few games we have been trying to play a slower game on offense by focusing on ball control and keeping possession,” Borgia said. “We probably could have scored another 4-5 goals in each of our last Bay League games but we really wanted to work on our ball control rather than just be a Run ‘N Gun team whenever we get the ball. When we advance in the playoffs, I believe possession is going to be crucial in winning games against quality teams.”
Redondo (12-1, 10-0) is ranked ninth in the Southern Section behind eight teams from Orange County, including Los Alamitos which is ranked No. 1 in the state.
“Los Alamitos has won something like 40 games in a row,” Borgia said. “Compared to where our program was a few years ago, just getting to the final would be a huge accomplishment.”
Redondo plays at Beverly Hills Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Mira Costa (3-8, 3-2) hosts Downey tomorrow before playing at Palos Verdes Wednesday. Both games are slated for 7 p.m.
Girls Track and Field
Redondo High distance runner Chloe Curtis had already clocked the nation’s fastest time in high schools girls 800-meter competition this year, so the senior wanted to prove her performance was no fluke by placing first in an elite field of competitors at the 43rd Arcadia Invitational last weekend.
Running in the country’s largest track event held by a single high school, Curtis was slightly off her top time of 2:09.07, finishing a disappointing second with a mark of 2:10.73. Not wanting to go home empty handed, the loss inspired her as she anchored the Sea Hawks’ distance medley team to a first place finish.
After Lyndsey Mull ran the 1,200, Brenda Sopp sprinted the 400 and Laura O’Neill completed the 800, Curtis held off Corona del Mar in the 1,600 to earn Redondo the title with a time of 11:54.75.
The strength of girls distance running in the Bay League was also shown in the 3,200 where Mira Costa’s Aryn Foland placed fourth (10:38.77), her Mustang teammate Savannah Pio finished sixth (10:44.02) and Redondo’ Rachel Bush finished ninth (10:47.63).
Both schools are scheduled to compete in the Mt. SAC Relays tomorrow and Saturday.
Eric Mochalski and the Mira Costa Mustangs are flying high as the No. 1 ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll . Photo
Boys Volleyball
Redondo lost its second Bay League contest, but scored a moral victory giving top-ranked Mira Costa a battle in a 25-21, 25-23, 26-24 loss.
Mira Costa, which hasn’t lost to Redondo since 2006, rallied from a 23-21 deficit in game three to defeat its rival. Eric Mochalski had 13 kills, Kevin Donohue added 11 kills and Bryce Miller recorded 23 assist for the Mustangs.
Redondo was led by Riley Theunissen’s 12 kills and nine digs. Ryan Olson and Trevor Butler each had nine kills and Michael Vellutato posted 29 assists for the Sea Hawks.
Mira Costa had little trouble defeating West Tuesday, improving its record to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in league with a 25-14, 25-10, 25-18 road victory. Kyle Burgoyne recorded eight kills, Jace Olsen added seven kills and Michael Beals posted 20 assists for the Mustangs.
Mira Costa hosts Peninsula today at 3:15 p.m. and has a showdown at second-place Palos Verdes Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. Between the two Bay League matches, the Mustangs will compete in the prestigious Santa Barbara High School/Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions tomorrow and Saturday.
Redondo returns from spring break and hosts Peninsula Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. ER