Alemany girls volleyball is young, but that hasn’t stopped the Warriors from succeeding in the Mission League.
The team beat Chaminade in five sets on Monday night to clinch third place in league play — a coveted position, considering the Mission League has three automatic playoff bids. They had a chance to secure that spot outright on Wednesday night.
“It’s a little more of a balanced offense than we have been in the past,” Alemany coach Morgan Wijay said. “It’s been really nice because we have a lot of great hitters and it’s been exciting to see the dynamic come together.”
Sierra Canyon, which was unbeaten in the Mission League with one match to go against Alemany on Wednesday night, has clinched the league title. Marymount entered Wednesday in second with a 6-2 league record.
The Warriors (18-11 overall, 5-4 in Mission League) have seven players on their team who are either a freshman or sophomore. They are led by senior and Rutgers commit Alanah Clemente, who has been working with Wijay since she was 5 years old.
Alemany’s Alanah Clemente, #23, spikes a shot as Sierra Canyon’s Madeline Way, #19, goes up for the block during game action at Sierra Canyon High Thursday, October 5, 2023. Sierra Canyon defeated Alemany in four sets. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Outside hitters Mia Stewart and Tristyn Bailey had 10 and eight kills, respectively, on Monday night against Chaminade. Clemente, an opposite, led her team with 14 kills, six digs and five blocks.
“She’s held her teammates accountable at the standard she thinks they should play at,” Wijay said. “She’s definitely taken on more of a captain-coach leadership role on the court.”
Clemente moves around the court at practice to impart knowledge and coach up younger teammates like freshman setter Valerie Bazylevych, who dished out 32 assists and recorded seven aces to help beat Chaminade.
“She’s only been playing volleyball for two years and its been unbelievable what she’s been able to do in the Mission League against some of these teams,” Wijay said.
The CIF Southern Section will release the playoff brackets for girls volleyball on Saturday at 10 a.m. Playoff divisions will be decided by the CIF-SS competitive equity system.
League championship recap
Oaks Christian (22-9, 9-1) swept Westlake on Tuesday night to win its fourth straight Marmonte League title. The Lions ended the regular season 22-9 overall and 9-1 in league play.
Village Christian (21-12, 8-0) won the Olympic League title on Tuesday by sweeping Whittier Christian, 25-11, 25-12, 25-12. Angelina Dellutri had 10 kills, 11 assists, four digs and two aces and Lauren Keller had 11 kills, three digs and two aces. Nikki Tawil had 18 assists and six digs, Kylee Martin had 20 assists and six digs and Jordan Canepa and Siena Morgan each had six kills apiece.
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Royal (18-9, 8-0) became the undefeated Coastal Canyon League champion on Tuesday when it beat Moorpark, 14-25, 25-22, 29-27, 25-18. Jaiden Alexander led her team with 13 kills and 14 digs in the match. Katie Millano had nine kills and five blocks while Taylor Wooton had seven kills, three aces and 20 digs. Emerson Moss had 17 digs, Lauren Lacy had 15 digs and Ella Buonauro had 21 assists and 10 digs.