Loyola athletics - Cub volleyball sweeps Corona delMar, named top team in nation
Loyola volleyball earns NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP with sweep of Corona del Mar in CIF State Southern California Regional finals
In a match between national number one-ranked Corona del Mar and number two-ranked Loyola of Los Angeles before a large crowd at Edison High School in Huntington Beach on Saturday, more was on the line than just bragging rights between two of the country's perennial prep volleyball titans. The winner of the proverbial rubber match between the Southern California powerhouses would win the National Championship. It is believed to be the first time in state history that two teams in the same sport were ranked first and second in the nation when they played one another in the final contest of the season.
Having been swept by the Sea Kings the previous Saturday in the CIF Southern Section Division I finals at Cerritos College, the Cubs had a chip on their collective shoulders heading into the CIF State Southern California Regional finals. Whatever tightness and trepidation was present a week earlier was gone this time around as Loyola stunned Corona del Mar, sweeping the Orange County juggernaut, 25-23, 25-20, 25-19, in a dominant performance highlighted by nearly flawless execution and palpable competitive fire, earning the Cubs the top spot in the MaxPreps final national top 25 rankings.
Loyola's passing game operated at near perfection, enabling the big hitters to impose their will against a tall and exceptionally talented foe. What enabled the Cubs to win the National Championship was taking two of three from the Sea Kings. Loyola had beaten CdM (33-3) at Leavey Gymnasium on April 26 in an epic five-set non-league match before succumbing to the Sea Kings on a decidedly off night in the D-I finals on May 20. While the Cubs (30-2) lament coming up short of their goal of winning the CIF Division I trophy, a national title is far from a consolation prize.
In the second set, Loyola was behind 14-10, but came roaring back for a 25-20 win, sending an emphatic signal that the Cubs were in total command. The final set was all Loyola - the final score (20-19) is not indicative of the level of sheer will asserted by the Big Blue to close out a momentous 2017 campaign.
Stanford-bound outside hitter J.P. REILLY led the Cubs with 14 kills, a .500 hitting percentage, a block assist and three digs. Senior opposite BRADY WEDBUSH, who is headed to Princeton, recorded 11 kills, two service aces, two block assists and six digs. Senior setter LUKE HARDESTY was on the money with his pinpoint sets all night long. He had 36 assists, setting up monster kills by Reiily, Wedbush, JAXON DRAKE, Penn State-bound WILL BANTLE and 6' 9", 250 lb. UCLA -bound middle blocker IAN PARISH.
Last Wednesday's extremely impressive, hard fought, four-set semifinal victory over Oak Park, the only other team to defeat Loyola (in the Best of the West Tournament semifinals on March 11) this season, was just the type of tune up the Cubs needed to prepare them for turning the table on Corona del Mar.
In a match between national number one-ranked Corona del Mar and number two-ranked Loyola of Los Angeles before a large crowd at Edison High School in Huntington Beach on Saturday, more was on the line than just bragging rights between two of the country's perennial prep volleyball titans. The winner of the proverbial rubber match between the Southern California powerhouses would win the National Championship. It is believed to be the first time in state history that two teams in the same sport were ranked first and second in the nation when they played one another in the final contest of the season.
Having been swept by the Sea Kings the previous Saturday in the CIF Southern Section Division I finals at Cerritos College, the Cubs had a chip on their collective shoulders heading into the CIF State Southern California Regional finals. Whatever tightness and trepidation was present a week earlier was gone this time around as Loyola stunned Corona del Mar, sweeping the Orange County juggernaut, 25-23, 25-20, 25-19, in a dominant performance highlighted by nearly flawless execution and palpable competitive fire, earning the Cubs the top spot in the MaxPreps final national top 25 rankings.
Loyola's passing game operated at near perfection, enabling the big hitters to impose their will against a tall and exceptionally talented foe. What enabled the Cubs to win the National Championship was taking two of three from the Sea Kings. Loyola had beaten CdM (33-3) at Leavey Gymnasium on April 26 in an epic five-set non-league match before succumbing to the Sea Kings on a decidedly off night in the D-I finals on May 20. While the Cubs (30-2) lament coming up short of their goal of winning the CIF Division I trophy, a national title is far from a consolation prize.
In the second set, Loyola was behind 14-10, but came roaring back for a 25-20 win, sending an emphatic signal that the Cubs were in total command. The final set was all Loyola - the final score (20-19) is not indicative of the level of sheer will asserted by the Big Blue to close out a momentous 2017 campaign.
Stanford-bound outside hitter J.P. REILLY led the Cubs with 14 kills, a .500 hitting percentage, a block assist and three digs. Senior opposite BRADY WEDBUSH, who is headed to Princeton, recorded 11 kills, two service aces, two block assists and six digs. Senior setter LUKE HARDESTY was on the money with his pinpoint sets all night long. He had 36 assists, setting up monster kills by Reiily, Wedbush, JAXON DRAKE, Penn State-bound WILL BANTLE and 6' 9", 250 lb. UCLA -bound middle blocker IAN PARISH.
Last Wednesday's extremely impressive, hard fought, four-set semifinal victory over Oak Park, the only other team to defeat Loyola (in the Best of the West Tournament semifinals on March 11) this season, was just the type of tune up the Cubs needed to prepare them for turning the table on Corona del Mar.
The CIF State Southern California Regional championship was head coach MICHAEL BOEHLE's fourth as the steward of Loyola's nationally renowned volleyball program. Loyola's other state regional championships were won in 2009, 2010 and 2012. The Cubs were state regional runners-up in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Loyola . . . National High School Champions!
For an in depth story on Saturday's match, see the link below.
http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/sports/tn-dpt-sp-cdm-boysvb-loyola-20170527-story.html
Loyola's 4 X 400 relay team qualifies for State track finals
This Friday night at Buchanan High School in Clovis, the Cubs' 4 X 400 relay team will compete in the State championship prelims. Loyola's relay squad qualified for the trip up north at Friday's CIF Southern Section Masters Meet held at Arcadia High School. With the sixth best time (3:17.68) in California this season, Loyola head coach MIKE PORTERFIELD is hoping his relay men will be lined up in one of the nine lanes on Saturday night in the State finals.
Senior University of California, Berkeley-bound distance runner CHARLIE SHERMAN knocked three seconds off his best time in the 1600 meters at the Masters Mee , clocking a four-lap time of 4:15.89, but unfortunately did not qualify for the state prelims. Sherman had a brilliant career at Loyola as both a cross country and track performer.
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