The top pairings from San Marcos and Santa Barbara High girls beach volleyball punched their tickets to the CIF-SS Individual Pairs Playoffs with strong performances at the Channel League Tournament on Thursday in Ventura.
San Marcos’ Cora Loomer and Josie Gamberdella will represent the Royals while Keenan Engebretson and Lola Heckman will continue their seasons for the Dons.
Loomer and Gamberdella captured the Channel League title after defeating Engebretson and Heckman in the championship match, 28-20.
“After pool play, Gamberdella and Loomer locked into a high level of play,” San Marcos head coach Tim Loomer said. “Gamberdella, who received the majority of serves, displayed exceptional offense, keeping the opponents off balance with a blend of shots and hard driven kills.
“Loomer’s setting and blocking were on point all day. To win a tournament of this type takes focus, skill, and determination. Gamberdella and Loomer displayed these in spades throughout the day.”
Santa Barbara High head coach Kristin Hempy praised her top duo’s performance as well.
“All season, Keenan and Lola have had great chemistry – they played a lot together in the off-season and came into the league with a lot of experience,” Hempy said.
“Lola has developed into a strong force at the net – with a huge blocking reach and the ability to hit shots that are in perfect spots. Keenan’s defense has improved immensely since last year and she possesses great vision and shot placement. As a senior, her experience and communication are excellent.”
San Marcos
The duo of Gamberdella/Loomer was dominant throughout the day, going undefeated in pool play and entering the playoff bracket as the top seed.
They proceeded to take down Halle Rillie/Atasha Black of Dos Pueblos, 28-20, and Ventura’s Hazel Richard/Kinsley Gulatt, 28-15, to advance to the title match, where they defeated Engebretson/Heckman.
The twos pair of Sam Fallon/Evyn Miller won their pool and was the No. 2 seed in the playoff bracket. However, they fell to Engebretson/Heckman in the quarterfinals.
“Fallon and Miller continue to play high-quality volleyball and are a tough out for any opponent,” Tim Loomer said.
The No. 3 pairing of Charlotte Hastings/Paige Hoadley took second in their pool and won a playoff game before falling in the quarterfinals to Ventura’s top duo.
“Hastings and Hoadley continue to develop as a pair and are clarifying their style of play,” Tim Loomer said. “Both showed mental toughness and determination during multiple games during the day.”
San Marcos’ fours pair of Lila Westmacott/Isla McClintock ended pool play in third place.
“Westmacott and McClintock competed well in the losses to both these teams, forcing their opponents to earn the wins,” Tim Loomer said.
Santa Barbara High
The Dons turned in a strong team showing at the Channel League Tournament as the only team with two pairs reaching the semifinals.
In pool play, Engebretson/Heckman dropped their first matchup, 28-25, before finding their groove with 28-13 and 28-22 victories to take first place in their pool.
Meanwhile, the No. 3 duo of Blake Saunders/Stella Peus swept their pool with wins by scores of 32-30, 28-13 and 28-12.
The twos, Paylin Marcillac/Kira Elliot, went 2-1 in pool p,lay while the No. 4 pairing of Gabby Cajuste/Madi Priess tallied one win.
In the playoff rounds, Engebretson/Heckman captured wins over Oxnard and San Marcos before taking down Saunders/Peus to reach the Channel League finals, where they fell to Gamberdella/Loomer.
Marcillac/Elliot dropped their first-round playoff matchup while Saunders/Peus earned a win over Buena before falling to Engebretson/Heckman.
“Blake and Stella played so solid and consistent overall today and their fourth place finish overall in the league highlights their talent,” Hempy said.
“Overall it was a great day with lots of close competition and a lot of volleyball. I’m proud of the SB girls for representing our squad well and excited for Keenan and Lola as they move on to CIF.”
No information was provided by Dos Pueblos Beach Volleyball