Lady Sea Hawks Win Volleyball Opener

Fresh off a run for the CIF championship game last season, the No. 3 ranked Sea Hawks christened their new volleyball court at by sweeping Harvard Westlake three sets to none Thursday night.

The Sea Hawks were able to shake off some mid-set lulls to close out the Wolverines and take the first match of the year with relative ease, winning 25-20, 25-21 and 25-16.

Redondo head coach Tommy Chaffins has admittedly had some sleepless moments trying to figure out playing time as well as determining a starting lineup due to the combination of losing several veterans from last year’s team and an influx of great talent with only six spots on the floor.

“Our starters were feeding off our bench players, and we really have so much depth that we can substitute without losing much, and you saw that tonight,” Chaffins said.

One player with an unquestioned role is junior Skylar Dykstra who stepped up her game with a team-best 15 kills. 

Dykstra also fills the important role of go-to hitter, vacated by her sister Lara who graduated and is attending the University of Nebraska.

“I definitely have big shoes to fill replacing my sister,” Dykstra said. “This is a new group of girls, and we just have to keep playing and get comfortable with each other, but we’re doing pretty well so far.”

Dykstra, whose vicious swings on the perimeter resulted in thunderous kill after kill, was clearly in mid-season form.

Set one was close from the start, but the Sea Hawks began to distance themselves from the Wolverines after senior middle blocker Devon Bogart put away a kill at the net to increase the Sea Hawk lead to 19-15, forcing a Harvard Westlake timeout.

“I think a quick start always generates momentum that helps us get into a good rhythm,” Bogart said.

Redondo (1-0) would maintain its four-point advantage with Dykstra hammering down back-to-back kills to close out the first set 25-20.

In game two, Redondo jumped quickly ahead, 11-6, thanks to another powerful strike from Dykstra.

The visiting Wolverines fought back, however, as sparkplug libero Katie Price came up with some timely digs and keyed a 12-6 rally to give Harvard Westlake (0-2) an 18-17 advantage.

“We can’t relax in the middle of the game,” star Redondo libero Tiffany Morales said. “We have to sprint to the finish.”

The Sea Hawks remained calm, again turning to Dykstra to finish the set off with an indefensible spike followed by a stuff-block for the final point at 25-21.

“Skylar is a great hitter,” Morales said. “Olivia [Bustamante] and her work together very well and they kept the defense on their heels all night.”

Trailing 11-10 in the third set, the Sea Hawks again rebounded with a relentless offensive attack with the aforementioned setter, Bustamante, spreading around attack opportunities for her teammates during a 10-1 run. 

Bustamante, a junior taking over for the graduated Blake O’Brien, finished with 35 assists for the night.

“She definitely won the job, and we expect great things from her this year,” Chaffins said.

Reserve Marissa Mitter would end the match in style with one of Redondo’s 13 aces—5 from Dykstra—to secure the first win of the young season.

“Our bench right now has stepped up extremely well, we have great competition in practice, and everyone gives each other a run for their money,” Bogart said.