Beckman boys volleyball team caps big week by capturing title at Redondo Tourney

Beckman players celebrate after winning the Redondo Tournament Saturday. (Photo courtesy Beckman athletics).

Beckman High School’s boys volleyball team capped a busy week by capturing the championship at the Redondo Tournament Saturday.

The Patriots, ranked fourth in the latest CIF Division 1 poll, rallied from an opening set loss to Redondo Union in the gold division final to win the tournament in three sets.

The scores were 20-25, 25-17, 15-6

“We had a very solid weekend up in Redondo,” said Coach Darin McBain. “The final was a lot of fun and really seemed to bring the best out in us. Losing the first set in the final was a challenge that we talked about just being another obstacle that we needed to overcome.

“I give my guys a lot of credit. They never felt out of the match and never doubted that we would end up on top. Midway through the second set, we really started to pull away and play at a level that we are very tough to beat. We won the second set 25-17. In the third set, we jumped out to a big early lead, mostly due to service runs from Eli Lee and Ryan Graves, and kept the foot on the gas all the way through the finish line, winning 15-6. 

The Patriots were led by tourney MVP Noah Huang, who “was unstoppable all weekend and really turned it on even more in the final,” McBain said.

“Ryan Graves, our junior setter, team captain and the guy that really runs the show for us, was his usual calm, collected leader. Junior outside hitter Jack Graves and junior libero Noah Lee were also named to the all-tournament team. 

“Kamran Vakilian (senior middle blocker) played his best tournament of the season, coming with some huge blocks throughout the playoff run. Eli Lee (senior outside hitter) stepped up big again in the final and carried offensively at times. Freshman Luke Morrison and senior Jared Irwin also played big roles for us this weekend.”

The Patriots found out Monday their draw in the CIF playoffs. 

“We are anxious to see the playoff bracket when it is released on Monday morning and start preparing for our first opponent,” McBain said. “Our goals are set very high for the next two to three weeks.”

Beckman also captured its third straight Pacific Coast League title and lost to Mater Dei in five sets during a busy week.