Culver Club Volleyball and Culver City High School girls volleyball teams have combined for an excellent year.

After winning the prestigious Summer Soiree Volleyball Tournament, many of the Culver Volleyball Club teammates played on the Culver High volleyball team, which went on to win its first ever CIF championship.

The Lady Centaurs started the season slowly, and then they peaked to win the Ocean League title along with Santa Monica High School before capturing the CIF Division 5 crown.

Culver City won its first State playoff game against Carson. But they lost a competitive match in the second round to Crossroads High, which advanced to the State finals.

Culver High was well represented in the selection of all-CIF players:

• Jessica Stewart, junior setter, Division 5 Player of the Year.
• Lena Johnson, junior outside hitter, all-CIF first team.
• Krista Hernandez, senior libero, all- CIF first team.
• Tanner Siegal, Division 5 Coach of the Year.

“What is very exciting,” said Culver Club Volleyball director Marty Siegal, “is that Culver City High School loses some very good seniors, but they return a majority of this year’s players along with strong players from the lower level teams.

“Girls volleyball in Culver City is definitely on the rise thanks to the great work of the teams, coaches and administrators.”

Mr. Cohen may be contacted at mrculvercity@ca.rr.com