Notebook: Chaminade girls volleyball coach lives in Arizona, but it doesn’t stop the team from winning
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Chaminade girls volleyball coach Cory Chandler was having a tough Monday. He spent most of the day in an airport after a bird strike cracked a plane window, forcing passengers to deplane.
He lives in Arizona, but coaches in West Hills. A bird strike is just one travel obstacle to overcome, but, nevertheless, Chaminade is still unbeaten this season.
“When I took over Chaminade four years ago, I just had to make sure I saw them all the way through,” Chandler said. “I’m with them all the time; I don’t miss. If I’m going to ask them to be 100% committed, I have to be 100% committed as well.”
With his family in Arizona, Chandler works remotely and is at every practice and game and does extensive scouting. The team practices as early as 6 a.m. so that the coaching staff can collect film on upcoming opponents.
The Eagles are 20-0 overall and are 2-0 in Sunshine League play. They started off league with a sweep of Notre Dame, a team vying for CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff spot. Chaminade is in Division 4.
“I think we took them out of some of the stuff that they wanted to do,” Chandler said. “I think that was a big thing.”
Chandler and his staff, which includes former Calabasas and Burbank head coaches, emphasize the fundamentals of serving and passing. As a team smaller in stature, players opt for block touches to slow the ball down rather than constantly going for big blocks.
Izzy Martinez leads the team offensively. A natural beach volleyball player who is committed to Cal Poly SLO and trained with the U-19 National Team, Martinez’ talents and demeanor transition well to the indoor game.
“She’s kind of our glue,” Chandler said. “She passes just dimes, she’s very dynamic on her hitting. She’s our calming foundation, you could say.”
Bridget Brady, a Fordham University commit, brings big kills and blocks at the outside position. Danit Cohen is a talented setter that Chandler anticipates getting some attention soon.
Winning a CIF title and league crown are just two goals the Eagles have this season. This week, Chaminade will be tested with a match against Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy on Thursday.
“We strive for the perfection knowing that it’s going to be a constant battle to be perfect,” Chandler said, “but the girls do a good job of striving for that and working towards that.”
Streak still alive for Sierra Canyon
Sierra Canyon beat Campbell Hall in four games at home Sept. 15 to extend its Gold Coast League win streak to 64.
“We set that as a goal really early on, wanted to be Gold Coast League champions back when I first started,” coach Stefanie Wigfall said. “And it just really became a culture and a tradition to really continue that.”
The Trailblazers program grew as the streak did. Wigfall, now in her ninth season as head coach, saw changes just a few seasons into her tenure. Younger girls who grew up watching the varsity players began playing club volleyball and developed talent early.
Soon, those players were passing down “the streak” to underclassmen.
“I try not to focus on it too much, but I will say it’s just a huge source of pride for the players,” Wigfall said. “It’s just become part of our culture. That’s been fun, to watch them compete and hold pride in that streak and keep it going.”
Local teams make noise in Vegas tournament
The Durango Fall Classic took place Sept. 17 and 18 in Las Vegas, which featured some of the best prep volleyball teams from around the country.
Village Christian finished seventh out of 51 teams. Sienna Noordermeer was named to the All-Tournament team. The Crusaders beat Torrey Pines in the championship division to secure seventh place.
Sierra Canyon ended the tournament 14th and also competed in the championship division.
Harvard-Westlake beat La Costa Canyon for the bronze division title and a 17th-place finish, while Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy took the contender division crown with a win over Rancho Cucamonga.