At La Mirada High School, volleyball is a family affair
La Mirada girls volleyball head coach Kimberly Mahan, center, with her daughters, Kiersten, 15, left, and Bailey, 17, during practice as they prepare for their CIF playoff game. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
LA MIRADA – To say that this years’ La Mirada High School Girls Volleyball team is a tight nit group is an understatement.
This is a veteran group with a few of the players that have been together on the court since the junior high. This would seem to be the year for them to go far in the upcoming CIF-Southern Section playoffs.
The first round, which began today, Thursday Oct. 20 (Results not available at press time) has the Matadores (17-9) in D7 hosting Pacifica Christian (17-5), which finished third in the Academy League.
In the other two area first-round games, Norwalk (11-11), which finished second in league, travels to Bassett (14-16), which was third in the Miramonte League and Santa Fe (20-12), third in the Del Rio League, will host California (14-3), which won the DRL.
As for La Mirada, it seems this is the year, with eight seniors who led the team to a perfect 10-0 record and is 17-9 overall. In addition to the eight seniors, the Matadores have three juniors and two sophomores.
“We’re really excited, as we have a veteran team of eight seniors, so we have a lot of returners from last year,” La Mirada coach Kimberly Mahan said. “We have a strong team of offensive players, many hitters. We had some new setters this year, who have done very well for us, strong middles and we’re excited for CIF.”
Mahan, who is also a graduate of La Mirada, told of the keys to their success.
“The key to success is teamwork, practicing hard, good attitude, communication and coming in and working hard every day,” Mahan said.
“I want to push them very hard, so that we can do very well and go far in CIF.”
La Mirada girls volleyball head coach Kimberly Mahan during practice as they prepare for their CIF playoff game. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
La Mirada Athletic Director Christine Mead commented on the new league alignment and success of the team this season.
“The Suburban Valley Conference was created to try to get more competitive equity to the schools involved,” Mead said. “Our team is a prime example of how this happens. We have not won league in a number of years, but when put with other schools of similar talent, we were able to be highly successful and win the Mid-Cities League Championship.
“We play Pacifica Christian at home, and we haven’t drawn a home match for CIF volleyball in a long time. We are extremely proud of all our ladies this year. They have worked hard and overcome some adversity to remain successful. I am excited to see whet they will do on the court (in playoffs).”
Bailey Mahan, 17, along with her younger sister Kiersten Mahan and the rest of the team and mother Kimberly Mahan, have helped the Matadores achieve the goal of league champs this season.
“At times it could be difficult, but I enjoy it a lot, it’s fun having her always there,” said Bailey Mahan, of having her mother as coach. “It has been fun and exciting and I have a lot of close friends on the team too. Some of the girls on the team are my closest friends too and they have grown up and have known my mom too.”
This is the first year Baily Mahan has had the opportunity to play with her sister, Kiersten.
“I like it lot and this is my first year playing with her,” she said. “I’m going to miss playing with her (next year), but it’s also fun because she is the setter. She sets for me and I hit the ball.
“I feel like we have a good chance in CIF this year. I think our offense is the strongest and one of our middles, Natalie (Ojeisekhoba), who is a sophomore, is very powerful. Since we’re a stronger team (than last year), ultimately, we will be a lot better.”
Ojeisekhoba is third on the team with 66 kills in 66 sets played. Leading the Matadores is Bailey Mahan with 101 kills and junior Alyssa Meraz (105 Digs, 51 Aces) has 87.
Fifteen-year-old Kiersten Mahan is enjoying the time with her sister and mom on the team.
“It’s fun, I like it,” said Kiersten Mahan, who is a setter and leads the team in assists with 169. “I enjoy playing with my sister and having my mom as coach. We did good in league, and we all connected as a team and are really close, so it’s a good bond on the court.”
Second on the team in assists is senior setter Mikayla Gonzalez with 135.
La Mirada girls volleyball senior Milan Nimeh during practice as they prepare for their CIF playoff game. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Another veteran player is senior Milan Nimeh (42 Aces) and she has that same feeling about La Mirada in the post-season.
“Honestly, this year we have really great chemistry compared to other years. We all get each other on the court and we’re very cohesive as a team,” said Nimeh, who has 60 kills and 68 digs. “I think this year in playoffs, we’re really going to go far.
“We’re all very strong players and know the game. I’m looking forward to just winning. I think the biggest thing we have going for us is our comradery and we’re super close. I try to lead the team in any way that I can.”
Junior Margaret Norton leads the team with 121 digs, while Bailey Mahan has 120 digs.
Norwalk Girls Volleyball
Norwalk, which finished 11-11 overall and second in the new Suburban Valley Conference, Gateway Division (7-3), will open the CIF-SS playoffs in a division 8 match at Basset tonight (Thursday Oct. 20). The Olympians are 14-16 overall and finished third in the Miramonte League with a 7-3 record. (Match results not available at press time).
A possible second round matchup would be against the winner of United Christian Academy (22-5)/Geffen Academy (6-7).
The last time Norwalk was in the CIF playoffs was 2018.
“None of these girls have gone to CIF,” said Norwalk Girls Volleyball coach Paola Nava. “Coming off of the 3-0 sweep over Bellflower, that gave the team more confidence. “They knew if they didn’t win, they might have been in a wild card game. With the win, they knew that had a chance for CIF. In the match against Bellflower, it was the best I’ve seen all year.”
Nava, who has assistant coach Kevin Contreras at her side, knew of the challenges this past season.
“Coach and I are really grateful to have this team this year,” she added. “We knew we were going to have obstacles this year, but we’re really proud of them.”
Leading the team in kills through 45 sets played is junior Marisol Roseboro (107 Digs) with 86 kills. Junior Kendall Nakano has 63 kills and sophomore Samantha Munoz added 61. Junior setter Alyssa Dorado leads with 152 assists.
Santa Fe Girls volleyball
Santa Fe (20-12), which is the only one of the three schools ranked, is in the No. 9 spot in D7 and will travel to Jurupa Valley (19-11) for a first-round match, also on Thursday.
A possible second round match is either Westminster (20-10) or Carter (12-12) Saturday (Oct. 22).
“The seniors are especially excited, since it’s the first time in CIF for them,” Santa Fe coach Gay Brokenbough said.
With the ranking comes high expectations for the Chiefs.
“There’s a little more expectation,” Brokenbough added. “We’re just trying to get through it and get through that first match.”
Two seniors lead the way for the Chiefs – Monique Cardona (100 Digs) and Alyjah Castaneda (74 Assists).
“Their leadership helps, with Monique the most experienced. She’s probably the biggest leader on the court,” she said. “Alyjah, and also Monique are valuable as far as rotation goes.
“It’s important and it’s all new to them.”
It is also homecoming week, and a lot of the attention is aimed towards that activity on campus.
Through 16 sets played, sophomore Camya Bottorff leads with 60 kills, while seniors Ariel Romero and Angelina Mandy had 32 and 26 respectively. Sophomore Abigail Ceteina (66 A).