LOYOLA ATHLETICS - Dynastic Cub volleyball program wins fifth CIF State Regional title under Michael Boehle
LOYOLA SWEEPS ARCH RIVAL MIRA COSTA FOR THIRD TIME THIS SEASON TO WIN FIFTH CIF STATE SOUTHERN REGIONAL UNDER HEAD COACH MICHAEL BOEHLE
What does the confluence of a great head coach, great players, a rock solid foundation built on discipline, an all-in culture, a relentless work ethic, uncompromising standards, high expectations, and uncommon commitment yield?
A dynasty.
Under head volleyball coach MICHAEL BOEHLE ‘84, the 2023 National Coach of the Year, Loyola has established itself as the preeminent prep volleyball program in the United States.
The overwhelming evidence of the dynastic status enjoyed under BOEHLE includes Saturday’s triumph over arch rival Mira Costa, a fifth CIF State Southern Regional title, a seventh CIF Southern Section Division I championship, three National Championships-with a fourth crown soon to be bestowed-and ten CIF Southern Section Players-of-the-Year, with an eleventh soon to be named. In a word, incredible.
The program was outstanding since its inception in the 1970s. The most renowned player in the history of Cub volleyball was the legendary “King of the Beach”, SINJIN SMITH ‘75, who went on to earn All-American honors and win two NCAA titles at UCLA and lead U.S. Olympic teams before embarking on a famed, star-studded career on the professional beach volleyball circuit.
BOEHLE not only continued the championship norm, but has brought it to the summit of unmatched excellence.
On Saturday at Leavey Gymnasium before a large, vocal home crowd, the Cubs, unanimously ranked as the number one team in the nation, swept arch rival Mira Costa (34-5), 25-15, 29-27, 25-19, ranked by at least one poll as the nation’s number two squad, for the third time (all three-set sweeps) this season after taking down the Mustangs a week ago in the CIF Southern Section Division I finals in front of a capacity crowd of 3,000 at Cerritos College to notch the program’s thirteenth CIF title.
Loyola (32-1-1) was led as usual by 2023 CIF Division I Player-of-the-Year SEAN KELLY, The UCLA-bound opposite hitter recorded an incredible 27 kills in the match. KELLY’s teammates again showed uncommon skill, focus and grit. Among the contributors were seniors EMMETT MARTIN (OH/Opp), PARKER SCHLOSS (Setter) and HUGH VANDEWEGHE (Middle); juniors SIMIN CAPPS (OH), KAI KLEIN (MB), and TYLER RAGER (Setter); sophomores MATT KELLY (Libero) and NATE GARRETT (OH); and freshmen JOHNNY GOSSER (Libero) and JACK TUCKER (OH). Sophomore, 6-7 outside hitter BLAKE FAHLBUSCH, missed most of the year with injury, but is expected to be a critical player on next year’s squad.
BOEHLE sets an unparalleled coaching paradigm of the highest order. His five State Regional championships came in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2023 and 2024. His teams were crowned National Champions in 2009, 2017 and 2023, and will soon be will bestowed a fourth national title. BOEHLE’s squads won CIF Southern Section Division I championships in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2016 and 2024.
What a season. Great players and a great coach displaying every element of what it takes to be a champion.