The Chaminade girls volleyball team is about to embark on a new, competitive journey in the Mission League — and the culture seems to be peaking at just the right time.
“We’re very big on family,” Chaminade head coach CJ Suarez said. “It’s been really good to see that and sticking with our identity and standards for this upcoming year and holding each other accountable for those identities and standards.”
Suarez is in his third year as head coach of the Eagles and has made intentional decisions to help build up a family-like atmosphere, like setting up a big-sister-little-sister program that pairs upperclassmen with underclassmen to encourage teammate bonding.
It’s helped Chaminade build a 23-7 record as it gets ready for Mission League play. But it’s not all smiles and fun for the Eagles — another factor in the success is the returning talent.
Shayla Martinez was a freshman when Chaminade won a CIF State Division II title in 2022 and has since turned into a dominant, left-handed outside hitter in her junior season. Middle blocker Maile Moiso adds to a loaded junior class and the Eagles return two setters in junior Lauren Flowers and sophomore Kathryn Vercillo.
The Eagles also add another piece in Sarah Shaw, a 6-foot-2 middle who is committed to Brown as a junior. Shaw transferred to Chaminade after the closure of her previous school, La Reina High School.
“Our bread and butter has been our offense in the middle,” Suarez said. “Can we be successful with our middles? If so, then that allows our other options and other hitters to really be successful and we’re always striving to be one of the best-serving teams and always be the loudest team.”
Chaminade loaded up on difficult matches for its nonleague schedule and beat Mayfair, Valencia, Campbell Hall, South Pasadena and Ventura — all of which are ranked in the Top 10 in their respective divisions in the CIF Southern Section rankings.
They also traveled to Las Vegas for the Durango Fall Classic, which is considered one of the most difficult high school volleyball tournaments in the country. Chaminade placed 31st out of 63 teams and upset Huntington Beach, the No. 3 team in Division 1 in the CIF-SS polls.
“There’s no way you’re taking time off in that tournament,” Suarez said. “We went in there knowing that we’re an underdog and we know we can compete with all these teams. We know we’re better once we are focusing on ourselves. What can we do for each other and how do we strategize together and adapt?”
Durango Fall Classic results
Multiple volleyball teams from the Daily News coverage area competed last week in the Durango Fall Classic, which took place in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada.
Sierra Canyon placed fifth overall out of 63 teams. Hanna McGinest led the team offensively with 58 kills in addition to seven blocks and eight aces.
Eva Jeffries recorded 54 kills, 11 blocks and six aces and Lauren Lynch had 66 digs and 12 aces. The Trailblazers’ two setters, Lucky Fasavalu and Olive Shum-Koubek, had 75 and 68 assists, respectively.
Oaks Christian finished 21st. Bishop Alemany (37th), Harvard-Westlake (38th), Village Christian (46th) and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy (62nd) also competed in the event.
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