In an early season showdown between two of the highest ladies volleyball groups within the state, Redondo Union took management over the past two units to deal with Marymount 25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 25-14 and show it’s a menace for its first Southern Part championship since 2019.
The squads entered their nonleague matchup with a 22-1 mixed report this fall and will meet once more down the street with the stakes even greater. The Sea Hawks’ triumph was all of the extra spectacular on condition that it was completed with out libero Rowan DeVore (sidelined with flu) and senior twins Avery and Addi Junk, who’re skipping the indoor season to focus on seaside volleyball, which each are dedicated to play at Florida State.
California commit Abby Zimmerman was virtually unstoppable, pounding a match-high 26 kills, Leah Blair (dedicated to play seaside at Washington) had 10 kills and UC Irvine-bound Taylor Boice added seven kills for the house facet. Setter Marlo Libbey had 33 assists and served three aces.
Zimmerman led her college to the seaside title within the spring.
“Indoor is my favourite and we’ve put in a lot work, it could be nice to exit on high my final 12 months,” Zimmerman mentioned. “This was a strong match for us and if we are able to deliver the identical power and combat each sport now we have a superb likelihood.”
Each packages have been coming off profitable journeys to Hawaii. Redondo Union completed runner-up to nationwide energy Byron Nelson (Texas) for the second straight season on the Ann Kang Invitational, whereas Marymount didn’t drop a set on its option to the Hawaiian Island Labor Day Basic championship Saturday in Hilo.
Junior hitter Makenna Barnes had 16 kills, Washington commit Sammy Destler added 14, Olivia Penske had 36 assists and Declan Eastman recorded 11 digs for the Sailors, who have been making an attempt to avenge a five-set defeat within the first spherical of the CIF SoCal Open Division regionals final fall.
“I play on the identical membership crew as Abby and Taylor… we’re greatest buddies,” Destler mentioned. “This was a much-needed wake-up name for us. We’ve observe at 5:45 a.m. tomorrow and I’ve to love it. Redondo’s a complete completely different degree than the groups we noticed in Hawaii.”
Tuesday’s nonleague match not solely featured most of the Southland’s most proficient gamers, but additionally two of its most profitable coaches in Redondo Union’s Tommy Chaffins (who handed the 900 profession wins milestone final 12 months) and Marymount’s Cari Klein (who has led her Sailors to 30 or extra victories in three of the final 4 seasons).
Klein mentioned the journey again from Hawaii had a bit drama because the airplane had engine issues and needed to divert to Oahu.
Marymount was off to its hottest begin since 2021 when it completed 35-0 en path to its tenth part title and seventh state crown underneath Klein and the No. 1 nationwide rating.
The schedule solely will get more durable for Redondo Union (14-1), which travels to reigning Division 1 champion Mater Dei on Thursday and hosts 2022 champion Sierra Canyon subsequent Tuesday. Marymount (9-1) will attempt to shake off its first loss when it hosts the Sea Hawks’ Bay League rival, Mira Costa, on Thursday.
“We’re very shut on and off the courtroom and we bonded much more in Hawaii,” Boice mentioned. “Tonight we merely wished it extra.”
