The562’s coverage of high school volleyball in 2025 is brought to you by the MLP’s Bay Area Breakers.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
Long Beach Poly sent an overhauled lineup to the sand on Thursday afternoon at LBCC, needing to cope with the absence of three usual starters. In the end, the Jackrabbits had enough firepower to pull out the win over The Archer School, picking up an efficient 3-2 victory to advance to next week’s quarterfinal round in the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs.
“I’m definitely very proud of them. I think we’re finally getting how to play the game and implementing the fundamentals we’ve been preaching since the beginning of the season, and things are finally clicking for us,” said Poly head coach Litara Keil. “And I think we’re in a division where it’s great for their level of play right now, which not only challenges them, but it also allows them to play freely and relaxed. Today was the first time I saw a combination of both–everybody was just having so much fun on each court, so that was great to see.”
All five matches were sweeps, with no third set needed for either side, and Poly was able to clinch the overall victory quickly, getting their three wins before Archer hit the scoreboard.
The Jackrabbits were without starters Avery Milburn, Lauren Foster, and MJ Vea, but Coach Keil said she hopes to have all three back next week for Poly’s next match.
Poly was able to get victories on the last two courts, where Finley Stuart and Vivienne Irwin teamed up for a 21-11, 21-16 victory on Court 4. On Court 5, youngsters Melody Versalles and Alysa Luna stepped into the lineup and took care of business with a 21-10, 21-18 triumph to give the Jackrabbits a 2-0 lead in the match.
That left it up to the top three courts, and Taimane Poe and Giselle Millsap represented Poly’s best shot at wrapping up victory after winning 21-15 in set one.
“I think what helped us the most is just staying consistent the whole time, especially on our swinging and our serving,” said Millsap. “I think that helped us win and it was really fun.”
It was only the second time Poe and Millsap had been paired together this season, but they looked comfortable on the court and were able to hold on for a 21-19 win in set two to kick off a team celebration for the Jackrabbits.
“I feel like Giselle and I are a good pair, because I think we both have good hands,” Poe said of the new partnership. “And she’s really good at swinging, so I think we both pair up well.”
Both players credited the new coaching staff of Litara Keil and assistant coach Tyler Jackson for helping them improve over the course of the season, and they feel like the team is having fun playing together as they look to continue their playoff run and extend their season on the sand.
Poly will be back at LBCC next Tuesday to host their quarterfinal match, going up against Laguna Blanca. The start time is yet to be determined, but will likely be part of a doubleheader. The Millikan Rams were 3-2 winners at Bishop Montgomery on Thursday, and will be hosting San Clemente next Tuesday in the Division 2 quarterfinals.
Full Match Results
Court 1: Abbie Lennon/Sara Saleki (Archer) def. Aleeya Salima/Londyn Foster (LBP) 21-12, 21-14
Court 2: Taimane Poe/Giselle Millsap (LBP) def. Sophie Saleki/Jackie Mayne (Archer) 21-15, 21-19
Court 3: Charlotte Stein/Sophie Shafifour (Archer) def. Dayna Lagafuaina/Simone Millsap (LBP) 21-16, 22-20
Court 4: Finley Stuart/Vivienne Irwin (LBP) def. Shauthi Seth/Caroline Collis (Archer) 21-11, 21-16
Court 5: Melody Versalles/Alysa Luna (LBP) def. Dylan Robinson/Arissa Lalani (Archer) 21-10, 21-18
