Girls’ Volleyball: Senior-laden Breakers eye bigger things
The Laguna Beach High girls’ volleyball program achieved a few milestones last year, and it looks to add another banner season to its storied history in 2015.
The Breakers have completed summer camp and tryouts, and are in final preparations for the start of their season Sept. 3.
“We have talent, depth and height,” said head Coach Raúl Papaleo who is in his third year in charge of the program.
The Breakers won 20 matches a season ago, ran the table in a 10-match Orange Coast League season, and won a first-round match in the CIF Southern Section Division 2AA playoffs before being eliminated in the second round. Five starters, including four all-league players, return.
The Breakers’ roster includes eight seniors.
“We are looking forward to bettering our finish in CIF, and making it to the finals,” Papaleo said. “I believe we have the team to do that.”
When the Breakers start Orange Coast League play Oct. 1, they will bring a 90-match league winning streak into their opener against Costa Mesa. It is the eighth longest league winning streak in CIF Southern Section history.
The program has won 10 consecutive league championships, and the 2015 Breakers are considered the favorite for the OCL title.
The program last year also notched its 100th all-time victory in CIF-SS playoff competition and is 100-36 overall in postseason play.
Laguna will take the court this weekend for the preseason Queens of the Court Tournament at the American Sports Centers in Anaheim.
In pool play Saturday, the Breakers face San Juan Hills at 9 a.m., St. Lucy’s at 11 a.m., and Aliso Niguel, which won the CIF-SS Division 1A title last year, at 1 p.m.
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The Breakers
League: Orange Coast League
CIF Southern Section division: 1A
Head coach: Raúl Papaleo (3rd year)
Coaching staff: Chase Frishman, Kasia Ligwinska
2014 overall record: 20-12
2014 league record/finish: 10-0 (champion)
2014 CIF playoff results: Reached second round of Division 3 playoffs.
Varsity players: Cameron Dorn, Middle blocker, Sr.; Sage Patchell, Outside hitter, Sr.; Aspen Rocha, Setter/OH, Sr.; Katelyn Carballo, OH/Libero, Sr.; Jamie Robbins, OPP/OH, Sr.; Taylor Cunningham, S, Sr.; Cassidy Vida, OH, Sr.; Jaynie Hexberg, L/Defensive specialist, Sr.; Lucy Fontenot, OPP/MB, Jr.; Katie Hayden, L/DS, Jr.; Kendyl Brennan, DS/OH, Jr.; Lauren LaMontagne, S, Jr.; Callista Wulff, OH/DS, Jr.; Alexandra McKeown, OH/OPP, Soph.; Aleya Post, MB, Soph.; Chloe Edep, S/L, Soph.
Returning starters: Cameron Dorn, MB, Sr.; Sage Patchell, OH, Sr.; Jamie Robbins, OPP/OH, Sr.; Aspen Rocha, S/OH, Sr.; Lexi McKeown, OH/OPP.
Returning with honors: Cameron Dorn, first-team all-league; Jamie Robbins, first-team all-league; Aspen Rocha, first-team all-league; Sage Patchell, second-team all-league.
Key losses from 2014: Sabrina Stillwell, OH, 2014 OCL MVP; Francie Holte, L, second-team all-league; Briana Boyd, S, second-team all-league.
The schedule: Tough, as usual. The Breakers open at Santa Margarita and take part in two nonleague tournaments, the Dave Mohs Tournament (hosted by Edison High) and the Las Vegas Durango Fall Classic, a week apart in September. In a quirky Orange Coast League schedule, the Breakers play their first three league matches at home in Dugger Gym, next five on the road, and finish league play on their home floor.
The Breakers close out the regular season at home Nov. 5 against defending CIF-SS Division 3AA champion Sage Hill.
“Our preseason schedule is very challenging with Santa Margarita, Newport Harbor, JSerra, Corona del Mar, Dana Hills, and Sage Hill,” Papaleo said.
Breakers Schedule
Sept. 3: at Santa Margarita, 6 p.m.
Sept. 9: Corona del Mar, 5:15 p.m.
Sept. 11-14: at Dave Mohs Tournament (TBA)
Sept. 15: JSerra, 5:15 p.m.
Sept. 18-19: at Durango Fall Classic (TBA)
Sept. 24: Dana Hills, 5:15 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Newport Harbor, 5:15 p.m.
Oct. 1: *Costa Mesa, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: *Saddleback, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 8: *Estancia, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 12: *Calvary Chapel, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 14: *at Godinez, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 20: *at Costa Mesa, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 22: *at Saddleback, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 27: *at Estancia, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 29: *at Calvary Chapel, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 3: *Godinez, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 5: Sage Hill, 5:15 p.m.
(*denotes Orange Coast League game)