Sports Roundup: 2006 CIF Champs Reunite at Event

A reunion of the 2006 CIF girls volleyball championship team provided a significant backdrop for the second Alumni-Parent-Sibling event last Friday at the high school.

"It was an outstanding event," said Redondo girls volleyball coach Tommy Chaffins, himself a Redondo Union graduate. "We had numerous alumni come back along with their parents, which makes me feel good. Our gym facilities and the talent in the gym wowed the alumni and parents. We think (the event) is going to grow and grow. We couldn't be more excited about it.

"I believe everyone had a phenomenal time. We got to reminisce about the old times. It was great."

In addition to the reunion, the event featured a volleyball tournament between teams of coaches, parents and former and current players. Age and experience trumped youthful exuberance as the Old School team took top honors, defeating defending champion Smak, 25-23, for the championship.

Each team competed with five players. Old School featured four coaches and one alumnus. Team members included Chaffins, a 1988 Redondo graduate; Paul Viggiano, a 1973 Redondo graduate; Lauren Kirk, a 2005 graduate and a former captain of the Loyola Marymount volleyball team; and Arielle Manz, a 2010 Redondo graduate and a redshirt freshman at UC Irvine, where she is continuing her volleyball career.

Manz, who recorded 10 kills, was named MVP of the tournament.

Smak members included assistant coach Amy Mosebar, a 2007 Redondo graduate, and her sister Hannah, a junior-to-be at Redondo; Lauren Allen, a 2008 graduate and a senior at UC Irvine; Megan Saraceno, a 2008 graduate; and Jessica Kalama, also a 2008 graduate and a senior at Cal Baptist in Riverside.

D Squared, M Squared + O.B. and ASKNAT shared third-place honors. Members of D Squared, M Squared + O.B. included Redondo junior Skylar Dykstra and her sister Devon, a 2008 graduate and a student at UCLA; Taylor Moore, a 2008 graduate and a senior at Hofstra; Molly Goldbach, a 2008 graduate and a senior at Oliet Nazarane; and junior Olivia Bustamante.

ASKNAT players: senior Ally Barry, who has signed a letter-of-intent with Montana; junior Sade Mendez; junior Andrea Gonzales; junior Katie Rotondo; and junior Tasia Vlahakis.

Triple M & P.R. and Class of 2015 + 1 2014 finished in fifth place. Sophomore Annie Hale, sophomore Petra Grutzik, junior Maya McEwen, senior Tiffany Morales—she will play college volleyball at Michigan upon graduation—and sophomore Leilani Martinez made up the team of Triple M & P.R.

Team members of the Class of 2015 + 1 2014 include: Jerephina Leilva, Payton Chang, Dominique Dodd and Hayes Honea, all freshman, and sophomore Gabriella Viggiano.

Members of the 2006 championship team include: Mosebar; Saraceno; Devon Dykstra; Goldbach; Moore; Lauren Allen; Kirsten Parigian; Madison Machado; Rafaela Rosa; Cailey Bennett; Athena Saradikas; Lauren Bos; Chelsea Brines; Jessica Kalama; Jessica Doerner; Tina Perkins; and Robin Baker.

Chaffins Hires New Volleyball Coaches

Speaking of volleyball, Chaffins announced the addition of two new coaches to his staff last week.

Darryl Gan, a former head coach at Corona del Mar for the past three years, has joined the staff. Gan, a new father of a four-month-old son, wanted to work closer and spend more time with his family at their Redondo residence

Gan has coached volleyball in Orange County for the past 20 years. He also has been a fixture at the Orange County Volleyball Club for the past 15 years. In addition, he continues to coach club teams at SCVC Los Cab in Fountain Valley.

Chaffins can't believe his good fortune.

"We really lucked out to get someone of his knowledge and expertise," Chaffins said.

Amy Mosebar, a 2007 Redondo graduate and a former Sea Hawks standout, also has agreed to become a member of the coaching staff. Mosebar, who played four seasons at Biola, was the captain of Redondo’s 2006 CIF title team.

"She'll also be a great addition to our staff," Chaffins said.

Mira Costa Looks Ahead to Football Season

An experienced offensive line and a talented class of juniors are two reasons Mira Costa coach Don Morrow is excited about the upcoming football campaign.

"We like this team a lot, especially the kids upfront," said Morrow, who is entering his 19th season at Mustangs head coach. "I think the experience we have upfront will be the biggest strength of our team. Last year, we had to play some sophomores on the offensive line, but that experience was great for them and now we have some veteran lineman."

Center Ryan Daly, tackles Joe Markus and R.J. Coleman and guard Mike Ruppert are among the line's top returnees. So are tackle Quincy Brown and guard Cory Sanicky, who played well last season as a sophomore, but is coming off shoulder surgery. Morrow though believes Sanicky will be ready when the Mustangs kick off the season Sept. 2 against Loyola at L.A. Valley College.

Junior Alex Cuevas is being tapped as the starting quarterback. Though he's inexperienced, Morrow said Cuevas has the tools to be a success.

"He's had a real good summer," the coach said. "He has a tremendous throwing arm. We just need to rein him in and make sure he throws it to our people instead of the opposition."

Morrow said he'll give Cuevas—and senior backup Chase Caprio, if Cuevas struggles—the opportunity to open up the offense more this season. Though the Mustangs have frequently relied on a strong running attack, Morrow says they will pass more.

"We've always been a running team, but we might run a spread a little more," he said. "I think us throwing more will make us a more balanced team."

Cuevas' development will be crucial to the Mustangs offensively, but so will the team's receiving corps.

Senior Alec Weaver, who made some valuable plays last season, and senior Christian Rogers, a converted quarterback, are expected to be two of Cuevas' main targets. Junior Dylan Chen also could become a factor. However, junior receiver Rafael Lawson-Gayle could make the biggest impact, Morrow said.

"This kid gives us a definite breakaway guy," Morrow said. "He can really go. He hasn't played any varsity ball, but I'm anticipating him to be a good deep threat guy."

Much is also expected of senior Stephen Giavati, who gets the nod as the starting tailback. Senior Tank Goldman and junior Jessie Harvey will handle the duties at fullback.

Defensively, All-Bay League linebacker Trey Tamura, a senior, is among the returnees. But Morrow seemed just as giddy about the possible emergence of linebacker Joe Buege, another senior.

"We're really excited about him because we think he's finally figured it out," Morrow said. "He is one of those kids that could be really good for us."

Junior linebacker Josh Qerdash also will have some impact, Morrow said.

The secondary will be tested, but Morrow has confidence in safeties Zach Trimm, and Ryan Sweigart and cornerbacks Maalik McClain and Rogers.

Goldman and Coleman will anchor the team's defensive line.

"We like our defense a lot," Morrow said.

The Mustangs will open practice Aug. 16. They will host North Torrance in a scrimmage on Aug. 26.

After its opener against Loyola, Mira Costa will play nonleague contests against Inglewood (Sept. 9), Serra (Sept. 16), Chaminade (Sept. 30) and Newport Harbor (Oct. 6) before opening Bay League play against West Torrance on Oct. 14.

The Mustangs, who finished 7-4 overall and 5-0 in league, have dominated league play for the past four seasons. They haven’t dropped a league game since 2007, winning 15 in a row since losing a 27-21 decision to Redondo in their final game of the season in 2007.

Morrow said there isn’t any special formula.

"The kids have a very blue-collar attitude here. They come in and work hard," Morrow said. "The continuity of the coaching staff is important. We get tremendous support from the school and the community. But the No. 1 thing is the kids are willing to listen and play hard. These kids try hard."

Good Run for Sea Kings

Palos Verdes wrapped up a successful campaign last weekend in the inaugural South Bay Summer Baseball League.

Palos Verdes, which finished runner-up to Mira Costa in the West Division during regular-season summer league play, captured two of three wins in postseason pool play. The Sea Kings dropped a 9-5 decision Thursday to Loyola, which earned the league’s playoff title, but recorded victories over L.A. Harbor (9-3) and North Torrance (3-2).

Overall, the Sea Kings finished 13-5.

"The summer went well for us," assistant coach and league coordinator Alex Morales said. "We liked what we saw. I think the kids get it now and if they don't, they're close. They want to do well and they know what it takes to do well and they're willing to do those little things that can make a big difference over the course of a regular season. We're very happy with their efforts."

Leftfielder Anthony Collins, first baseman Patrick Moody, first baseman and infielder Cameron MacLean were the most applauded performers for Palos Verdes.

"Those kids took advantage of their opportunities," Morales said. "All three of them had a great summer."

Several players also took advantage of possibly being starters in the Sea Kings' pitching rotation. Drew Nolls and Jeremy Barth made good impressions.

"There has been quite a competition on the mound," Morales said. "We've had 12 or 13 guys pitch this summer and those guys are all close in the competition. But that's good. Anytime we can create competition at any position that's always a good thing.

"(Barth is) one of those guys in the mix. He pitched well. We're also excited with what we saw from Drew on the mound. He might be a guy we end up counting on. He's gotten stronger and he also was hitting the ball with some authority."

Loyola defeated Costa, 2-0, for the championship of the postseason tournament last Saturday.

The league will host a fall league, beginning in September.