July 6, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Windward Upsets Samohi 3-0 In CIF Volleyball Semi-Finals: Windward To Play Rim Of The World In CIF Southern Section Finals

Windward High School (15-4) defeated Santa Monica High School (12-3) upsetting a top-notch Vikings team in three sets 25-13, 25-22, and 25-13 Tuesday night at Windward High School.

With the win, Windward advances to the CIF Southern Section championship game and Samohi’s season is over.

Wildcats Head Coach Michelle McGuire was proud of Windward’s victory and egged on her team near the end of the third set saying, “now put them away,” while the Wildcat crowd sang the Beatles song “Hey Jude.”

“Our ball control was pretty solid and our blocking really came around,” said McGuire. “In all fairness their setter Blossom Sato did not play. She is a great setter, and I think that had them out of system.”

Sato did play during the third set but to a limited capacity and the Vikings may have been holding her back so that she could recover from an ankle injury in order to be ready for a potential finals game.

“We have to give credit to our team,” said McGuire. “We served really well to help keep them out of system and all of our big guns had good nights offensively.”

The cards seemed to be stacked against Samohi from the beginning of the game from a raucous student body crowd to a free pre-game barbeque for the Windward fans.

In the first set, Asha Walker led the way recording three of her season high five aces to lead Windward to a 25-13 win.

During the second set, Santa Monica High School seemed to recover a bit from the shell-shock of losing the first set by eight points, but the recovery wasn’t enough to swing the Vikings back in the game.

“Since July, serve receive has been the emphasis and it is what got us here,” said McGuire. “When that breaks down, even good teams will struggle.”

After at timeout at 18-16, the Wildcats settled down and stopped a Vikings comeback and posted a 25-22 win.

Finally at 7-1 in the third set, the wheels came off for good for the Vikings and a silence fell over the Samohi fans while the Windward crowd could smell victory.

According to McGuire sophomore libero Alex Saghian, who leads the team in digs, has an “amazing knack for being where the ball is,” and saved potential kills whacked by powerful Vikings outside hitters Joslyn Hayes, Jordan Levy, and Wiktoria Surowka.

“We wouldn’t be here without her,” said McGuire.

Saghian didn’t seem to let any of the Vikings balls hit the floor leading the defense with 19 digs while Tae-Leon Butler spearheaded the Wildcat offense posting 13 kills.

Windward’s senior setter Hannah Holmes anchored the front line recording 24 assists and four kills in the CIF Southern Section Semi-Finals game against the Vikings while sophomore Christina Cornelius had eight kills and five blocks.

Saghian believes that her team has worked hard to be able advance to the CIF Southern Section finals.

“My team works really hard in practices and in this game it really showed off how much sweat we put into this,” said Saghian.

Next game for Windward is against Rim of the World High School (25-3) in the CIF Southern Section 3AA Championship finals at Santiago Canyon College Saturday, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m.

in News
<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...