This is a special time for Culver City sports. For the first time in school history two teams will go into the CIF playoffs ranked No. 1. The girls’ volleyball team is the number one ranked team in CIF Division 4 and the football team is number one in Division 11.
The volleyball team will began their quest to repeat as CIF champions this week when they play their second game in the CIF playoffs on Thursday at 7 p.m. inside the Del Goodyear gym on the high school campus. Their next game will be Saturday at 7 p.m. and that game will also be on the Culver City campus.
The football team will finish their regular season on Friday against 0-9 Beverly Hills inside the Jerry Chabola Stadium at 7 p.m. on the Culver City campus. The Centaurs are 8-1 overall and 3-1 in the Ocean league. They start their playoffs on Friday, November 10.
The 25-1 girls’ volleyball team knows they have a target on their backs. “We need to take it one game at a time,” said head volleyball coach Tanner Seigal. “Nothing is guaranteed in the playoffs. Last season was last season. This is a new year and a new team. We are really focused to take it one game at a time.”
Seigal will rely on senior leadership to guide this young group of girls through the playoffs. “Our veterans and seniors are excited to be in this position to win back to back championships,” said Seigal. “We have so many young players that are getting so much exposure. The championship mentality is just oozing through the program right now. We have a home grown system and it starts in middle school.”
The football team continues to battle the injury bug. Last Friday during their 42-0 win over Santa Monica at Santa Monica College their All-CIF quarterback Jonathan Martin was injured. The good news is Culver City has so much depth they were able to overcome the injury for now.
“It’s always good to get a victory but it was bitter sweet because of Jonathan’s injury but we had guys step up and make plays,” said head football coach Jahmal Wright after the win over Santa Monica. “This team has a lot of character and comradery and that’s what I am most proud of. It makes coaching a lot easier when you have a great coaching staff and great players to work with.”
Photos by George Laase
