Chadwick Prepares for Playoff Game

After graduating nine seniors from last season’s CIF Southern Section Division III-AA championship squad, the girls volleyball team didn’t have the lofty expectations of seasons past. But after sweeping rival Pasadena Poly in their first game of the season, the players felt that they had a chance to do something special.

Chadwick (27-1), who just won back-to-back CIF titles on Saturday after once again defeating Pasadena Poly in the final, looks to continue its magical run this evening in the first round of the Southern California State Regional Playoff when they host Golden Valley High School of Bakersfield at 7 p.m.

“It’s funny because all the kids in the school and even our parents were coming up to us before the season and saying that we should just try to make the best of it this season because we graduated so many players,” said junior outside-hitter Abbe Holtze of Manhattan Beach. “But after we beat Poly in that first match, I think everyone realized just how special this season could be.”

Golden Valley (30-12) was the South Yosemite League Champion this season, going undefeated in league play. The Bulldogs made it to the CIF Central Section Division III-AA championship game, losing in four games to Independence High School of Bakersfield.

The Bulldogs are led by 6’1” outside hitter Lexie Prieto, who will be matched up against the Dolphins Holtze and captain Emily Newton of Manhattan Beach. The Dolphins are a well-balanced team that relies on ball control, passing and defense.

“We don’t really have a star,” said Holtze, who had a team-high 19 kills in the final against Pasadena Poly including the game winner. “About five of us have been playing together since we were in middle school at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach. So we know where each other are going to be and that makes it so much easier.”

The Dolphins are led by seniors Lizzie Yates, Isebella Kinkelaar, Sklyar Weber, Eliza Powers and Manhattan Beach residents Madelyn Tournat and Erin Figel, along with a host of very talented juniors including Kristen Parks and starting libero Sarah Gurbach and setter Sarah Lucenti, all from Manhattan Beach.

This is the third CIF title for the Dolphins, having also won in 1989 and last season. The architect behind the Dolphin success is long-time head coach Anita Drennen, who was also the coach in 1989 when Chadwick won its first title.

Drennen was not able to coach last season due to health issues and handed over the reins to her daughter Lindsay, who guided the team to the title in her mom’s absence. This season the mother and daughter duo combined efforts to lead the Dolphins back to the title.

“This has been a magical season for us,” Drennen said of her team’s success. “These girls really deserve all the accolades they receive but doing this with my daughter has been one of the best experiences of my life.”