San Marcos girls beach volleyball went 2-1 against some of the top teams in the CIF Southern Section in a tournament on Saturday at East Beach.
The Royals welcomed Notre Dame Academy, Laguna Beach and Redondo Union to Santa Barbara for the four-team showdown. Redondo Union went 3-0, Laguna Beach went 1-2 and Notre Dame was winless.
San Marcos earned 4-1 victories over both Notre Dame and Laguna Beach before falling to Redondo Union by a score of 4-1.
The No. 1 duo of Cora Loomer and Evyn Miller earned victories over Notre Dame (21-9, 21-9) and Laguna Beach (21-16, 21-12) before dropping a three-set battle with Redondo Union, 19-21, 21-18, 14-16.
“The pair played really well throughout the day and their final match against Redondo was a fun match to watch with high-level volleyball that came down to the wire. Both Loomer and Miller played well against the top team in our CIF division,” San Marcos head coach Tim Loomer said of his ones.
At court two, San Marcos’ Alina Stapf and Reese Paskin’s lone win of the day came with a 21-12, 21-17 victory over Notre Dame.
“Stapf and Paskin had some tough draws today, which in the long run can help them prepare for the finish of Channel League and the CIF playoffs,” Tim Loomer said.
Meanwhile, Paige Hoadley and Charlotte Hastings went 1-1 on the day with a 22-20, 21-14 victory over Laguna Beach.
Jeannie Johnson and Kelsie Rowe particularly shined for the Royals, as they went 3-0 and earned the sole win over Redondo Union. They won at the threes against Notre Dame, 21-11, 21-19, before earning victories on court four against Laguna Beach, 21-18, 21-12 and Redondo Union, 21-16, 21-12.
“Johnson and Rowe have really gelled these past few weeks and they are playing some great volleyball. Their offense has really come along, building on their passing and defense,” Tim Loomer said.
The San Marcos duo of Rio Chesluk and Malia Hetrick also went undefeated, going 2-0 with two-set wins over Notre Dame (21-14, 21-11) and Laguna Beach (21-7, 21-8) at the fives.
The Channel League-leading Royals (19-2) will host second-place Ventura High on Tuesday.