Volleyball is back after short spring

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL /// Local report



No local high school sport was adversely affected by the global pandemic quite like girls’ volleyball.

The girls’ season lasted one week in March. That’s it.

Volleyball is back this fall, and the enthusiasm is palpable.

“Everybody is extremely pumped, coaches and players alike,” said Julie Bennett, Oaks Christian’s head coach.

New head coaches at Westlake, Calabasas, Oak Park and La Reina have recently started their first full seasons.

James Park and Brock Redmond, 16th- and 15th-year head coaches at Thousand Oaks and Agoura, respectively, are veterans on the local scene. Chris Forrest directs an improved Newbury Park lineup.

Here’s a closer look at the Acorn squads:

AGOURA CHARGERS

Eighty-five students tried out for volleyball, the most ever at Agoura during head coach Brock Redmond’s tenure.

“I have more kids on each of my teams than I ever have had. I didn’t want to cap the team at 12 kids. We have full rosters,” Redmond said. “I remember where we were 18 months ago; nobody could do anything. We’re just thankful we have an opportunity to play and compete—because it could all be gone tomorrow.”

The Chargers, who earned a share of the Coastal Canyon League championship with Royal in 2019, are back in the Marmonte League.

Laurel Barsocchini, a third-year varsity starter, is a junior outside hitter who also contributes at libero.

“She’s easily one of the best players in the county,” the coach said of Barsocchini, whose older sister, Jenna, also played volleyball at Agoura.

Mattea Scott is a returning senior setter.

“She puts up great sets. She’s a big blocker. She runs a very good offense. She’s progressed nicely,” the coach said of Scott.

Hannah Messinger, a senior and four-year varsity starter, operates at middle blocker and opposite.

Makena Biondi and Alexis O’Keefe are rookies to watch.

Biondi, a 6-foot-3 freshman middle blocker and opposite hitter, moved to the area from Hawaii. Her father is 11-time Olympic swimming medalist Matt Biondi. O’Keefe, also a freshman, patrols the net at outside hitter.

Hannah Hampton, a senior, is a returning starter at middle blocker. Matilda Greulach, a junior, is Agoura’s top offensive attacker at outside hitter. Sydney Lowry, a junior outside hitter, is a solid all-around athlete. Kaila Yi is a libero/defensive specialist.

CALABASAS COYOTES

The Coyotes want to set a strong foundation.

“In order to beat the likes of Westlake or Newbury Park or Thousand Oaks, we’re going to have to be fundamentally sound,” said Elaine Donald, Calabasas’ second-year head coach.

Donald, a 1996 AHS grad who has coached the sport for more than 20 years, moved to Agoura from Scotland as a teenager. She also directs the Coyotes’ sand and boys’ indoor squads.

Sydney Luchs, a 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker and co-captain, leads Calabasas in service aces and blocks.

“She’s a powerhouse on the court,” the coach said of Luchs.

Holland Kaplan, a junior, and Olivia Fitz Gerald, a senior, are talented outside hitters. Senior Amy Ross, whose sister Jessica is a softball pitcher at Ohio State, establishes a rhythm at setter.

“She’s the nucleus of the team,” Donald said of Amy Ross.

Kaplan’s younger sister, Sophie, a freshman, is a setter on the varsity squad. Oran Shalev, a senior libero, is a defensive force along the back row.

“Everyone’s working together, everyone’s doing this as one,” Donald said. “I’m just excited about their progress so far, and the energy they have.”

OAK PARK EAGLES

The Eagles did not play any matches in the spring season.

They are flying again with second-year head coach Shelynne Philmore.

“The girls in the program are amazing. They have such good hearts,” the coach said. “They really try to learn and do the best they can.”

Philmore, a Westlake grad who coached Oak Park’s junior varsity teams between 2014 and 2016, assisted for one year at Westlake after graduating and playing at Towson University.

Emma Songco, a senior outside hitter, and Dylan Miller, a junior setter, are captains.

“Emma is extremely athletic. She can hit over the top of a lot of blocks,” Philmore said. “Dylan just hustles her booty off to get to every ball.”

Hana Chizzo, a junior middle blocker, puts up a solid block despite checking in around 5-foot-8.

Mikaela Merilles, a sophomore, contributes at outside hitter and opposite.

Taylor Mansmann, a defensive specialist who notched seven digs in her high school debut, is the only freshman on the varsity roster.

Isabella Thompson is a junior opposite. Sarah Carroll and Lexi Lewis-Maestu are senior liberos.

OAKS CHRISTIAN LIONS

The Lions are formidable in the middle.

Lucia Scalamandre, a senior, and Manaia Ogbechie, a freshman, are two of the most talented middle blockers in the region.

Scalamandre, who also contributes at outside hitter, racks up kills. She was selected to train with a Team USA youth squad last summer. The dynamic blocker and attacker will play volleyball at Princeton.

Ogbechie, the oldest of five siblings, is a 6-foot-2 athlete who can touch beyond 10 feet.

“Look out for this one,” head coach Julie Bennett said of the rookie.

Mika Josue, a senior setter, and Nicole Zake, a junior outside hitter, are instrumental to Oaks Christian’s success. Brooklyn Stearns, a junior, swings for spikes at opposite.

Hannah Brady is one of four freshmen on varsity. The perpetually improving libero is the younger sister of Maya Brady, a UCLA softball superstar.

The Lions finished in a tie for third place at their first Oaks Christian Lion Pride Classic last weekend. Chaminade of West Hills, led by former Calabasas skipper Cory Chandler, won the tournament.

Bennett, a 2005 Oaks Christian grad and an all-time great Pepperdine player, guided Pacifica Christian of Santa Monica to a CIF-Southern Section championship in 2013. Before being tabbed to lead the Lions in 2019, Bennett assisted at Pepperdine for two seasons.

“I think we have a ton of firepower and physicality at the net,” Bennett said. “The chemistry and cohesiveness this group has is something as a coach I couldn’t be happier to see.”

WESTLAKE WARRIORS

The Warriors are still the champs until someone knocks them off their throne.

Westlake has captured seven straight Marmonte League titles, from 2013 to 2019. Nobody played in 2020, and the one-week spring season lasted shorter than a sneeze.

Ashley Lake, who has assisted at Westlake since 2012, is the new head coach. Lake takes over for Ernest Rittenhouse, who started at Westlake in 2004 before moving to Florida in the offseason.

“I’m always about working hard, doing the best they can, and never giving up. That’s how I’ve always run my program,” Lake said. “I want them to have confidence while they’re playing. And I’m a pretty tough cookie and don’t let things slide.”

There are only two varsity returners for Westlake, which started the season with a 3-2 record.

Cashe Olswang, a senior, is a talented middle blocker.

Kaile Yung and Kolbe Kissell are senior outside hitters to watch.

Halli Fields, who previously played at La Reina, is a senior opposite and setter.

Sheridan Scofield (Moorpark) and Ava Broadbent (Grace Brethren) are junior transfers.