Redondo Girls Volleyball Claims Bay League Title, Ending Mira Costa’s Streak

The Redondo Union girls volleyball team secured a share of the Bay League title by defeating the Mira Costa Mustangs 3-1 on October 31, 2023. This victory marked the end of a dominant six-year stretch for Mira Costa, which had not lost a Bay League match since 2019 and had racked up an impressive 34 consecutive league wins. The Sea Hawks, who improved their record to 29-6 overall and 7-1 in league play, showcased resilience and teamwork throughout the match.

Abby Zimmerman was instrumental in Redondo’s success, recording an outstanding 30 kills. The match began with Mira Costa taking the first set 25-16, but Redondo quickly regrouped. The Sea Hawks fought back to win the second set 25-22, igniting a momentum shift that would prove crucial for the remainder of the match.

“I’m just excited,” Zimmerman expressed post-match. “It hasn’t quite sunken in yet. I’m just really happy how we executed the game plan and played really hard to win the match. Everyone who came in played a huge part in this win.”

The Sea Hawks faced a challenge in the second set as they fell behind by five points. However, Leah Blair’s timely kill tied the set at 18, followed by another powerful strike from Zimmerman, giving Redondo a narrow lead. The Sea Hawks capitalized on this momentum, closing out the set with key contributions from Marlo Libbey and Taylor Boice.

Redondo’s head coach, Tommy Chaffins, praised his team’s determination. “Abby Zimmerman cannot do it alone and her teammates picked her up tonight and made some big plays to help us fight back after losing the first set,” he said. “When we came back and took the second set, it was a big momentum boost.”

The third set saw Redondo continue their aggressive play, taking a 10-7 lead, largely thanks to Zimmerman and Sienna Castillo, who contributed critical points. Despite another rally from Mira Costa, Redondo maintained their lead to take the set 25-20, putting them ahead in the match.

“Our energy and our fight were really important tonight,” Castillo noted. She finished the match with eight kills, three blocks, and two aces. “We kept going and got back into the match. I’m so proud and excited for our team.”

As the teams entered the fourth set, the intensity ramped up. The lead changed hands multiple times, with Mira Costa briefly ahead at 14-13. Yet, Redondo surged forward, scoring ten of the next thirteen points to secure a decisive 25-17 victory in the final set.

Mira Costa’s coach, Cam Green, acknowledged the performance of the Sea Hawks. “They just played better than us,” he stated. “Sometimes you just get beat, and that’s what happened. It sucks to lose, but that’s part of the game sometimes.”

Despite the defeat, the Mustangs had standout performances, with Audrey Flanagan leading her team with 21 kills. The loss concludes a remarkable chapter for Mira Costa, who will now prepare for the CIF-SS playoffs, where both teams will await their matchups.

As the season progresses, Redondo’s victory not only marks a significant milestone for the team but also sets the stage for an exciting playoff season ahead. With both teams ranked in the top four, the upcoming matches promise to deliver high-stakes volleyball action.