CIF D1 Round 3: Mira Costa Prepares for Sierra Canyon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This article is made possible by PrepDig subscribers. Thank you! ~ You can join with 30% off using code: Coachable247</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On Saturday, October 31 at 4:30 p.m., No. 2 Sierra Canyon hosts No. 3 Mira Costa in CIF-SS Division 1, Pool B. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams enter the match 2-0. Sierra Canyon won their August 14 meeting at the Ann Kang 'Iolani Invitational in Hawaii, 2-1 (25-19, 19-25, 15-8).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mira Costa will face the No. 1 ranked player in California, Nebraska commit [player_tooltip player_id='888357' first='Kendall' last='Omoruyi']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888357"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae50ad2e3939"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kendall's Voice</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“As a leader, I think one of the biggest things for me going into playoffs is making sure I'm bringing positive energy and keeping my teammates confident, no matter what challenges we face. I know my energy can affect the people around me, so I want to lead by example, stay composed, and remind everyone to trust themselves and each other. This playoff run means so much to me because it's my last opportunity to compete alongside this group of girls before heading to Nebraska. I'm so grateful for everything this program has taught me, and I want to make the most of every moment we have left together. More than anything, I want us to play for each other, leave everything on the court, and finish knowing we gave it our all!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven Mira Costa athletes shared their voices ahead of tomorrow's first serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5094bcd1a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='479212' first='Isabella/Izzy' last='Basilio']</strong> is an uncommitted senior setter who leads Mira Costa with 489 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Izzy's Voice</strong><br>“We know Sierra Canyon is a big team and the favorite, but we've been putting in the extra work to prepare. We've even gotten help from our boys team to practice against a bigger block. We're really excited for this matchup! We've been scouting them and preparing, and I have a lot of faith in my hitters. My job is to give them a consistent ball and put them in the best position to score. This playoff run has been going great, and we're ready to keep pushing and compete!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She defines the job simply: a consistent ball that puts hitters in position to score. Mira Costa says it practiced against its boys team to prepare for size, and consistency is what any offense needs against a block led by Omoruyi. Coaches should note how much trust she places in her hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["534057"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5094bcd1d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534057' first='Dempsey' last='Clancy-Symond']</strong> announced her verbal commitment to play NCAA Division I volleyball at the University of California, Riverside!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We asked Dempsey what she has been focusing on the most this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dempsey's Voice</strong><br>“I've focused most on improving my footwork and timing on my approach. I've also been focusing on my ability to stay calm in stressful situations and moments in the game.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Footwork and timing are what make a lefty opposite hard to block. Her focus on staying calm matters in a matchup that went three sets in August, where one tight stretch can swing a match. Both habits are worth watching whenever she is on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["949618"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5094bcd1f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949618' first='Tristan' last='Del Riego']</strong> is a sophomore setter and opposite who plays both indoor and beach for Mira Costa varsity. In April, we named her our Social Media Star of the Week in a piece on setters controlling tempo. She told us she was proud of her court awareness, her reading on defense, and her communication and leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We asked Tristan what skills she has worked on the most this season and what this season has taught her as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristan's Voice</strong><br>“Skills I have worked on most are the offensive power of a well-placed serve, having several serves (top spin, deep float...) in my arsenal, and maintaining strong court/team energy. The number one thing this season taught me is the power to come together and rise up as a team. Our class of 2027 did a really amazing job in bringing this team together so smoothly and experiencing the fun and power of that has been the best part of this season and something I will take with me for when I'm an upperclassman.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is building a serving arsenal and talking about team energy in the same answer. The communication and leadership she named in April show up again here, and she credits the seniors for how the group came together. If she gets a turn at the service line, the variety she describes gives Mira Costa a way to push Sierra Canyon off its first-ball options. Coaches tracking 2029 setters should watch how she carries that team energy forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752356"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5094bcd21b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752356' first='Emerson' last='Jane Harper']</strong> is a freshman setter from the Class of 2030. She also played on the ICG USA beach team in 2025. We first wrote about her in February 2025 at the Triple Crown NIT, where she was playing up an age division. In March, we wrote that she directs the court with intuition and reads plays early, and that she was refining her footwork on defense through film study and backyard repetitions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We asked Emerson what skill she is working on most as a freshman and what she is learning from the older players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emerson's Voice</strong><br>“As a freshman, I am focusing most heavily on improving my defensive consistency and top spin serving. Learning from my older teammates has taught me how to be more vocal on the court and maintain confidence throughout the matches.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive work she described in March is still her priority, and now she has added a serve. Vocal confidence is something coaches can see from the bench as well as the court, so watch how she communicates Saturday, whatever her role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777202"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5094bcd23d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777202' first='Jayden' last='Meyer']</strong> is a senior pin who is committed to University of Colorado. At a college camp in June 2025, she told us she was proudest of her passing and blocking. She played with physicality and focus in a court full of strong hitters. She leads Mira Costa with 82 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden's Voice</strong><br>“We have focused on being aggressive but smart with our hitting. For blocking, we've been working on being aggressive and intentional, making sure we're reading the hitters and making strong moves at the net. We're excited and ready to compete!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is specific about the work: aggressive but smart with her hitting, and aggressive and intentional with her blocking. She also said Mira Costa has scouted Sierra Canyon and watched film of the August match in Hawaii. Reading hitters is what Mira Costa will need at the net against Sierra Canyon's pins, a group that includes Texas Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest'], USC commit [player_tooltip player_id='475609' first='McKenna' last='McIntosh'] and Tennessee commit [player_tooltip player_id='545258' first='Evangeline' last='Jeffries']. Her 82 blocks show that work has been paying off this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545233"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5094bcd25e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545233' first='Lerin' last='Rosenthal']</strong> is committed to play beach for Florida State. After last November's season finale against Sierra Canyon, we wrote that she covered the court with discipline, kept rallies alive with low, controlled touches, and delivered timely swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We asked Lerin what part of her game has grown the most this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lerin's Voice</strong><br>“I've had so much fun with my team this year because they are truly my best friends. I think the part that has grown the most is just the team bond and chemistry overall. I have been focused on the growth of the team and especially the younger players to keep moving on and finish the season strong!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She answered with her team's chemistry and the younger players. Mira Costa fell to Sierra Canyon in last November's finale and again in August, and her focus on the group is a good picture of what the Mustangs are leaning on Saturday. Younger players should note how much she invests in the people around her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545293"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5094bcd280"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545293' first='Liliana' last='Swanson']</strong> is committed to Johns Hopkins University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We asked Liliana what part of her game at the net she has worked hardest on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liliana's Voice</strong><br>“I have been working on being an offensive option in serve receive in transition. Being up and available whenever I can and working to stay off the net has been my priority. I have also been focusing on my split step in order to be a more efficient blocker.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She names three specific habits: being available as a hitter out of serve receive, staying off the net, and the split step that makes her a more efficient blocker. A 6'5" middle who works on footwork before the block is thinking about how she plays, not just how tall she is. Staying off the net and keeping a clean split step matter against a front row led by Omoruyi, and if the two middles meet at the net, it is a matchup fans will want to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Match: CIF-SS Division 1 | Mira Costa at Sierra Canyon | First serve: 4:30 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>🔥 Athletes</strong><br><a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">Update your PrepDig Prospect Index profile</a> so it's complete and current, with a photo, your club, your school and your latest film. 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