Arrowhead Christian’s Sophia Allison #3 and Arrowhead Christian’s Morgan Wilson #10 celebrate a point against Ontario Christian during the Ambassador League girls beach volleyball match at Pearce Sports Center in San Bernardino on Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ontario Christian’s Brooklyn Goedhart #8 blocks the shot of Arrowhead Christian’s Makenzie Gray #5 during the Ambassador League girls beach volleyball match at Pearce Sports Center in San Bernardino on Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian’s Morgan Wilson #10 makes the diving save against Ontario Christian during the Ambassador League girls beach volleyball match at Pearce Sports Center in San Bernardino on Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian’s Sophia Allison #3 makes the diving pass against Ontario Christian during the Ambassador League girls beach volleyball match at Pearce Sports Center in San Bernardino on Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ontario Christian’s Mia Medrano #18 puts the ball over the net against Arrowhead Christian during the Ambassador League girls beach volleyball match at Pearce Sports Center in San Bernardino on Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian’s Sophia Allison #3 smiles as she is unable to make the save against Ontario Christian during the Ambassador League girls beach volleyball match at Pearce Sports Center in San Bernardino on Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
SAN BERNARDINO — The temperature was in the 50s and frequent drizzles of rain fell from the sky.
Not ideal conditions for beach volleyball, but Ontario Christian and Arrowhead Christian went forward with an Ambassador League doubleheader Thursday afternoon at the Pearce Sports Complex.
Arrowhead Christian coach Brittney Amey spoke with Ontario Christian coach Paige Leibhart earlier in the day about the weather situation, and they agreed the matches needed to be played Thursday.
“The regular season ends next week, so we really couldn’t afford to reschedule again,” Amey said.
Ontario Christian swept the twin bill, 5-0 and 4-1, to clinch the Ambassador League championship.
This is the first season girls beach volleyball is an official sport in the CIF Southern Section. Ontario Christian and Arrowhead Christian are among the seven schools in the greater Inland area fielding squads this season. Aquinas, Hillcrest and Norco also are part of the Ambassador League. Pomona Catholic and Western Christian are competing in the Del Rey and San Joaquin leagues, respectively.
Liebhart recalled when news about the addition of beach volleyball was announced two years ago.
“It was the middle of the Super Bowl, and I emailed my AD and said we need to make sure that we were all in on this from the beginning,” Liebhart said. “It’s very exciting to be a part of the first wave of teams… We doubled our numbers this season and just want to see it continue to grow.”
Liebhart and Amey also coach the indoor girls volleyball teams at their respective schools, and the beach teams are made up mostly of players who play indoor volleyball during the fall season.
“I like being able to keep those girls around and coaching them,” Amey said. “And I believe the sand game makes you a better indoor player… I think this can be a real game-changer for ACA.”
This first season has not been without issues. The weather has caused chaos with schedules, and both teams also have had to deal with other conflicts, most notably indoor club commitments. Liebhart and Amey don’t always have their full rosters available for matches.
“The routine this season has been sending out a group text the day before to see who can play,” Liebhart said. “Once we know who’s in and who’s out, we decide on which players will pair up.”
Ontario Christian’s Brooklyn Goedhart is headed to Florida Atlantic to play beach volleyball.
“Last year was pretty laid back because it was only league. Now that we will have CIF playoffs, it’s really exciting to have that new goal,” Goedhart said. “I really enjoy beach because you’re constantly involved on every point. You get all three touches, and that really make you a better all-around player.”
For Ontario Christian senior Tatum Camping, this beach volleyball season has given her a chance to compete after suffering three serious knee injuries.
“One from volleyball, one from soccer and one in the ocean,” Camping said of her injuries. “I haven’t played a sport in nearly four years, so I was really nervous. But everybody has welcomed me on, and I’m really happy and excited about getting this opportunity.”
Ontario Christian (9-5. 7-1 in league) dominated most of the matches Thursday, with four of its five pairs sweeping their way to victory in both legs. The matches between Ontario Christian’s Mia Medrano and Allyson Shim and Arrowhead Christian’s Sophia Allison and Morgan Wilson and were the most exciting.
Medrano and Shim pulled out a three-set win in the first match. Allison and Wilson trailed 13-8 during the third set of the second match, but the pair rallied for the lone point scored by Arrowhead Christian (3-5, 3-5).