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Coach Darin McBain talks to the Patriots after Saturday’s semifinal win. (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Beckman High School’s volleyball players and coaches are looking forward to Saturday’s CIF Division 3 finals when the Patriots will take on Campbell Hall at Cerritos College.
The match begins at 3:30 p.m.
Beckman will be out to win its first CIF title in girls volleyball. Beckman lost to Ventura in 2016 in the Division 2 final.
The top-seeded Patriots (33-5) have not lost a set in their previous four matches, defeating Canyon Saturday in the semifinals to advance. No. 2 seeded Campbell Hall (31-4) has been impressive too, winning all but two sets on the way to the finals.
“We are excited about the opportunity,” said Beckman Coach Darin McBain. “I think the two teams match up very well and the final will be a good one. It will likely come down to who is mentally tough enough to execute in the pressure situations we will all find ourselves in. I know both teams are loaded with seniors that want to go out on top.”
McBain said before the season, he had a feeling the two teams could meet in the playoffs.
“When the season got under way, we started looking at teams that we could potentially meet are in the playoffs,” he said. “Campbell Hall stood out. This is the number 1 vs. number 2 matchup that people expected and that our girls have wanted for weeks.
“Things have to line up just right in order for a team to have a shot at a CIF championship, so we have got to take advantage of it now. You never know when you will get another chance. For these seniors, this is it.
“My group has thrived on being a very good ball-control team with solid passing, defense and setting. We also serve tough, with all six of our servers putting consistent pressure on our opponents.
“Offensively, we spread the ball out quite well and have a number of girls that are capable of carrying us on any given night.”
A number of players have stood out.
“Camryn Hayek and Nika Safavi, our two outside hitters, have done a phenomenal job all year,” McBain said. “Nika led us with 14 kills in the semis, while Camryn also had nine and is always near the top of that list.
“Our right sides, Victoria Turner and Sophia Saad, can be go-to players as well. Victoria also sets for us and is always up for the challenge. She never gets rattled. I love that about her. Sophia is also a very good setter that we have asked to swing this year and has excelled at it. She is a junior and will be back to her job as a setter next year as captain.
“Our middles Olivia Ramirez and Natalie Chien-Pham, have improved immensely throughout the year. They are smart kids that can follow a game plan very well and execute when needed. Stacy Reeves, our libero, and Deeya Bhalodia, our defensive specialist, have locked down teams defensively all year.
“Finally, Joy Lee, has led us in aces for the third straight year and has really improved her location and decision-making at the setter position.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
