Culver City High School’s girls’ volleyball team is not the only volleyball team winning championships in Culver City.
For the second time in three years, the Middle School Panthers recently won the competitive Marlborough Tournament.
“I am excited for all of the girls,” said Coach Marty Seigal.
Dila Thorne, Ashley Baizer and Lauren Tishkoff will be the only returnees next year.
Graduating players include Halen Anderson, Claribel Alcantar, Sofia Cerecedes, Alyssa Hernandez, Karina Hernandez, Veronica Ibrahim, Keely Martin, Megan Shimoda and Malea Stanton.
Before winning the title, the Panthers lost to Marlborough earlier in the day, which forced them to play a strong Manhattan Beach team. The Middle School won and eventually went up against the host team, Marlborough, in the finals.
The match was a pulse-pounding point-for-point battle that left players and fans exhausted. When it was over Culver City emerged victorious 30-28. The Panthers’ Alyssa Hernandez was selected as the most valuable player.
Lady Centaurs Finish First
What a difference a week makes for the Culver City High School girls volleyball team. They lost to Santa Monica three sets to two last week, giving both teams a 6-1 record at the top of the Ocean League.
On Tuesday the Centaurs beat Beverly Hills 3-0 and El Segundo upset Santa Monica 3-0.
Culver City is 23-6 overall, 7-1 in the league. Santa Monica is 15-12 and 6-2.
The first-place finish in the Ocean League will give Culver City a better draw in the CIF Division 3AA playoffs. If the Centaurs expect to advance in the playoffs they have to take their game to the next level. The playoffs will start Tuesday, and the Centaurs are hoping to play their first two games at home.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
