The Culver Volleyball Club 16 year olds coached by Tanner Siegal came out of the loser’s bracket and avenged a loss to an Oregon team to win the 8th annual Summer Soiree Volleyball Tournament in Anaheim, 25-19, 25-22.
Six Culver City teams ranging in ages 12-18 entered, but by the end of the week the only local team that remained was16-Tanner in the 64-team field.
Sixteen-Tanner was put in the losers bracket by Spitfire Volleyball Club from Oregon. Culver went on to win the rest of its games against undefeated teams to win the crown.
After losing to Oregon, Culver topped 8th seeded Oaks VBC and went on to upset No. 1 seed Surfside from Hermosa Beach, 25-20, 25-27, 15-9.
“It was a great team victory. We had all kinds of momentum going forward,” said Siegal.
Culver City then defeated No. 5 seed Laule’a from Hawaii, 25-27, 25-20, 15-12 to reach the championship match against Oregon Spitfire.
Culver and Spitfire played excellent side-out volleyball, according to Siegal, but Culver felt the momentum and took the title.
16-Tanner was led by Culver City High School junior stand out player Jessica Stewart. Complimenting Stewart was sophomore Centaur setter Megan Shimoda, Centaur middle blockers Octacia Collins and Destiny Padilla, Culver libero Halen Anderson, Notre Dame High School middle blocker Lauren Hechinger, Notre Dame outside hitter Gloria Dominguez, and El Segundo High School outside hitter and libero Kylie Glickman. Unable to play because of injury was outside hitter Thalia Rakosky, who plays at Pacific Christian.
Siegal recently was named Culver City High School varsity volleyball coach. Eriko Gambol is his assistant.
For more information about Culver Volleyball Club go to www.culvervolleyballclub.com.