September 20, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Beckman girls volleyball team clinches third straight PCL title

Beckman’s volleyball team has clinched the Pacific Coast League title. (Photo courtesy Jen Imus)

Beckman’s girls volleyball team has wrapped up its third consecutive Pacific Coast League title with one match remaining in the regular season.

“At 11-0, nobody can catch us with just one match to play at Irvine on Wednesday evening,” said Coach Darin McBain. “We have 12-0 in our sights and would like to finish the season undefeated in the PCL.”

Beckman also won league titles in 2018 and 2019. The 2020 girls volleyball season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We believe it would have been four had we been able to play last year,” McBain said. “But we have the 2018, 2019 and 2021 league championships to be proud of.”

The Patriots have been led by sophomore Joy Lee, who has already broken the all-time single season ace record.

“Her serve is the most dangerous, yet consistent, we have ever had at Beckman,” McBain said. 

A number of other players have stood out for the Patriots.

“Our top hitter, senior captain Emerson Wilford, a Wichita State commit, has been our go-to all season,” McBain said. “We rely on her heavily and she always seems to come through for us. We will need big performances from her in playoffs if we are to make a deep CIF run. “

“Senior outside hitter Chloe Bristow has been playing great for us over the last month. And Senior Chloe Lee, our libero, has been her usual steadying presence in serve receive and makes spectacular plays for us on defense. Our middle play has been improving all year and is now getting to the point where we can rely on Brea Hardy, Emily Kyle and Bella Galentine to put balls away for us in crucial situations and block their fair share of balls as well.

“We also rely heavily on three sophomores. Joy Lee and Victoria Turner are our setters and run the show for us. I can’t say enough about their all-around play. We have gotten to the point where they know what my expectations are in every situation and they execute it almost flawlessly. Sophomore opposite Camryn Hayek has improved her blocking all year and is a major contributor on offense as well.”

The full Beckman roster: Deeya Bhalodia, sophomore, DS/OH; Chloe Bristow, senior, OH; Casey Chesterman, senior, DS; Brianna Dixon, senior, MB; Bella Galentine, junior, MB; Madi Graves, junior, OH; Brea Hardy, junior, MB; Camryn Hayek, sophomore, OPP; Emily Kyle, junior, MB; Chloe Lee, senior, Libero; Joy Lee, sophomore, setter; Rachel Lochner, senior, OH; Stacey Reeves, sophomore, DS; Amanda Sun, junior, OPP; Alyssa Tonnu, senior, OPP; Victoria Turner, sophomore, setter; Morgan Ventura, junior, OH; and Emerson Wilford, senior, OH.