Redondo girls volleyball hands Sierra Canyon first loss of the season

CHATSWORTH — Sierra Canyon honored girls volleyball coach Stefanie Wigfall for reaching 300 wins before Tuesday’s match against Redondo.

The Trailblazers were unable to add to Wigfall’s total though, falling to the Sea Hawks, 25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 25-18.

It was Sierra Canyon’s first loss of the season and its fourth in six matches against Redondo.

“It’s always a battle,” Redondo coach Tommy Chaffins said. “Stefanie is one the best coaches. That’s why they’re so good. When there’s a person that’s been doing it a long time with success like her, that’s why it’s a battle.”

Junior Abby Zimmerman anchored the winning effort for the Sea Hawks (10-3). She didn’t just lead them in kills, she also showcased she could score with finesse equally as often as she could with power.

“Sometimes the off-speed shot is the right shot,” Chaffins said. “Especially against taller athletic players. Abby sets it up with the fastball and you have to change things up because great players will time the fastball.”

Redondo took the first set 25-19. The Sea Hawks jumped out to 3-0 lead and never trailed in the opening set.

They followed that up with an impressive 25-21 second set, using accurate return skills to down the Trailblazers.

Sierra Canyon finally hit its stride offensively in the third set, ignited by the strong hitting of sophomore Hanna Mcginest. The outside hitter ripped off seven of her 14 kills as the Trailblazers took the set 25-21.

Redondo jumped out to an early lead in the fourth set, one that Sierra Canyon was unable me to overcome. The Sea Hawks (10-3) once again used a well-balanced attack to score points.

“Today we passed really well to our middles,” Zimmerman said. “A big focus for us in the beginning of the game was to serve tough and get them out of system. It worked really well for us.”