29 kills by Dajnowiec lift Corona del Mar to CIF quarterfinals

Sofia Dajnowiec recorded 29 kills to lead Corona del Mar to a 25-18, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 victory over Flintridge Prep on Saturday. The win at La Cañada Flintridge qualified the third-seeded Sea Kings for the CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals. It is the team's second consecutive year reaching this stage of the tournament.

The current postseason run contrasts with last fall, when CdM played three straight five-set matches to reach the quarterfinals before losing to Foothill. This year, the Sea Kings, with a 23-9 record, have dropped only one set in their first two playoff games. They lost the third set to Flintridge Prep (21-4) after leading 18-13, a rally that extended the match. In the other two sets, they finished comfortably.

Dajnowiec, a senior outside hitter, noted the difference in team focus compared to the previous year. She said she felt off her game in last year's quarterfinals and wanted to perform better for the graduating seniors. Now a senior herself, she said the team wants to prove its development and reach the semifinals or beyond.

Isabella Spinella, a junior setter who transferred from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman in Nevada, distributed 50 assists and added five kills. She described her role as the team's quarterback, aiming to lead the group to the finals. Spinella said the energy in the gym, including a DJ playing music for the home crowd, motivated the Sea Kings to play more aggressively. She noted that many players were jumping and hitting hard during the match.

Other CdM contributors included senior outside hitter Savannah Dennis, who had 12 kills, and junior middle blocker Cooper Piercey, who recorded eight kills and 2.5 blocks. Junior opposite Myrto Charalabidi added six kills. On the service line, freshman Sarah Rosing served three aces and sophomore Shea Natland served two. Senior libero Livi Rosowski made a diving dig late in the fourth set that led to a Dennis kill, helping CdM build a 22-19 lead to close the match.

Coach Max Gamboa, in his second year leading the program, attributed the team's success to a higher level of maturity. He noted that last year the team struggled in five-set matches, while this year they won the first round in three sets and the second in four. He said he expected the third set to be closer but praised the team's focus throughout the match.

For Flintridge Prep, senior outside hitter Makayla Jones led the team with 19 kills and two blocks. The Wolves finished second in the Prep League behind Pasadena Mayfield. Sophomore setter Brooklyn Sheldahl recorded 37 assists, 2.5 blocks, and two kills. Senior pin hitter Frankie Callaway added nine kills, and senior middle blocker Lora Kotikian had three kills and four block assists.

The Sea Kings were scheduled to face Pasadena La Salle (21-10) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The result of that match came after the print deadline for this report. Meanwhile, in another Division 2 quarterfinal played on Tuesday, top-seeded Newport Harbor (29-7) lost to host Redondo Union (21-11) in five sets. The score was 25-22, 17-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-8 in favor of Redondo Union. Newport Harbor finished second in the Sunset League behind Los Alamitos.

Redondo Union will play at San Juan Hills (21-12) in the Division 2 semifinals on Saturday.