The Girls’ Laguna Beach HS Volleyball team was fired up and ready to compete in their first round of CIF against Cantwell Sacred Heart. The team swept Cantwell in three sets on Thursday night. To get into CIF this year, the girls had to put up a tough battle against Northwood High School. On Tuesday, the Lady Breakers faced Northwood and ended up losing in 5 sets. This meant the girls had to face them again to determine if they could make it into CIF. The girls came in firing and gave Northwood a show with the final game ending in a sweep in only three sets.
The team is full of talented players and is led by seniors Baylie Bina and Sadie Holms who have been part of the Laguna Beach Volleyball program since their freshman year. “We have all been given the opportunity to grow this year. It was a rough start, but this team is working so hard and I know we’re gonna make it far,” says Bina. Baylie Bina has been playing volleyball since she was 12 years old and plays for Saddleback Volleyball Club. Her energy on the court is one of a true leader and her skills in her position (middle blocker) are jaw-dropping. It is very apparent Baylie has a ton of indoor experience. When Baylie Bina takes the court, all eyes are truly on her. This team is one-of-a-kind, with first-time Varsity players not only starting but thriving on the court with their amazing athletic ability.
4 new freshmen faces are on the team this year, and all have had a big impact on the Lady Breakers. “Our freshmen setter Sienna is doing a great job at adapting to the other players and has really changed the season for us,” says Bina. Sienna works alongside Mimi Spangler as setter running a 6’2” for the team. The Laguna Beach Girls HS volleyball team is coached by Sinan Tanik, who is also the head coach of 949 Volleyball Club’s top boys and girls teams, as well as the boys’ Santa Margarita HS Varsity Volleyball team. Sinan is a clear leader with his contagious energy and excellent coaching from the sidelines. He was a team captain for the Turkish National team for 11 consecutive years as well as serving as captain for multiple teams in other countries. Sinan has been coaching for Laguna Beach for 4 years now and is dedicated to the girls and the program.
Stay tuned and watch the Lady Breakers compete for the CIF Southern Section Championship!
