With four competitions under their belts in the Interscholastic Beach Volleyball League (IBVL) boys season, varsity teams from Mira Costa and Redondo have a crucial Bay Division match-up in the first of two meetings between the rivals schools.
Mira Costa will be the host team against Redondo when the two undefeated teams square off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept 19 at Dockweiler State Beach.
Both squads are among the elite teams in the 24-team varsity division of the IBVL which is run by the Southern Pacific Volleyball Committee. Redondo won the inaugural championship defeating Dana Hills in 2013 and Mira Costa was runner-up to Dana Hills in 2014.
“We we were fortunate to win the Championship in 2013, and took third during last year’s rebuilding year.,” Redondo head coach Corey Glave said. “Mira Costa looks stronger and deeper this year. It seems like the championship will run through the South Bay this season, and we are working hard to try to get back to the top, but first we have to deal with Costa.”
Each participating school fields three teams in a best 2-out-of-3 format, playing two schools each Saturday during the regular season, which ends Oct. 3.
Also competing in the Bay Division are Alemany, Notre Dame and Palos Verdes. Mira Costa and Redondo also have teams playing in the 13- team Junior Varsity Division and the four-team Frosh-Soph Division. Redondo’s JV and Frosh-Soph teams remain unbeaten.
“The match-up with Mira Costa will a battle. Not only are both teams tied for first place in the Bay Division, but are the premier high school beach teams in California,” Glave said. “Both schools are led by the top pairs in the league. Costa is a very talented and deep squad with a number of solid beach players and it will take our best effort for the Sea Hawks to succeed.”
After wins against Westlake and Calabasas on Aug. 29, Redondo began division play by sweeping Alemany and Palos Verdes going 12-0 in set play.
Senior Lucas Lossone and junior Logan Glave, a three-year varsity starter, led the charge as Redondo’s No.1 team.
The Sea Hawks have a strong supporting cast from last year’s JV championship squad including Chris Dedo and Evan Murray and will play Notre Dame. Prior to facing Mira Costa on Saturday, Redondo will take on Notre Dame at 10 a.m.
Mira Costa swept Notre Dame and Palos Verdes in the first round of division play, also going 12-0 in set play.
The Mustangs were led by seniors Jackson Wedbush and Roy McFarland and will take on Alemany at 11 a.m. Saturday before their match against Redondo.
Mira Costa began its 2015 campaign sweeping Newbury Park and Simi Valley. Along with McFarland and Wedbush, the Mustangs had strong performances by Duncan Bardeau, Max Cajuste, John Conde, Kevin Pinkerton and Declan Wright.
Mira Costa and Redondo meet for the second time in the final week of the regular season in a showdown this will likely determine the Bay Division title.
Playoffs begin Wednesday, Oct. 7 with the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals held Saturday, Oct. 10 at Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica.
