The562’s coverage of Long Beach Volleyball in the 2022-23 school year is sponsored by Misty May-Treanor and the Dream in Gold Foundation.
Moore League beach volleyball co-champions Long Beach Poly and Wilson have qualified for the inaugural CIF Southern Section beach volleyball playoffs, which begin this week, with wild card matches on Tuesday and first-round matches on Thursday. Lakewood is also into this week’s playoffs as the league’s third seed and St. Anthony is in as the two-seed out of the Del Rey League.
The tournament will culminate in the first-ever CIF-SS beach volleyball team championships, with both Division 1 and Division 2 hosted at LBCC on May 6, where the Moore League plays all their matches.
The Jackrabbits, Bruins and Lancers will all compete in Division 2, with Poly hosting a Wild Card winner at LBCC on Thursday at 3pm, facing the winner of San Luis Obispo Classical and Camarillo.
“Going into the playoffs is both nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time,” said Poly coach Meaghan Sefuiva. “I can’t help but get emotional knowing how far these girls have come.”
The Jackrabbits have had their five pairs in constant flux due to injuries that sidelined six different athletes throughout the year.
“We’re not a big team compared to others but these girls have grit and the heart to put up a fight,” said Sefuiva.
Wilson claimed both of the top pair positions at last week’s Moore League tournament, and the Bruins enter the league as the two-seed out of the league after a co-championship season that saw Poly win the tiebreaker. As a result Wilson will come out of the Wild Card and will host Sage Hill on Tuesday.
“We’re excited to compete and represent our school and city,” said Wilson coach Gerald Aquiningoc. If Wilson wins they’d advance to face SM Valley Christian on Thursday.
Lakewood will also have to come out of the wild card as the Lancers will open up on the road at Oak Park. If they win Tuesday they’ll travel to Foothill Tech Thursday.
St. Anthony is also in the Wild Card and will host Westlake on Tuesday, trying to advance to a Thursday first-round match at Ontario Christian.
