Redondo is coming

As the end of the season is coming soon, we are looking at our last major tournament this weekend when we head up to Redondo. After beating Carlsbad (again) on Friday, we are 5-0 in league with a two-game lead over everyone. After our match against Westview this Wednesday we are excited to head up to Redondo and get one last weekend of tough competition before wrapping up our hopeful league title and a run towards the CIF title. There is a good chance that we will be the #2 seed overall at Redondo. We have never finished better than 7th since I have been coaching. That is going to change this year!

A triumphant return from Spring Break

Sometimes I get a little nervous about coming back from taking a week off and wonder how long it will take the guys to get back into a rhythm. Apparently this year I had nothing to worry about. The guys played amazing tonight in a convincing win against Mt. Carmel, sweeping them 3 games to none. We had a great game plan thanks to coach CJ and the boys executed it to a tee. I am proud of the way we played tonight and am looking forward to the momentum that we can take from this match. Look out RB, we'll see you Friday.

Crazy times are over and the season can now settle in.

I never knew volleyball season could be so busy. Dealing with everything happening here along with hosting 2 tournaments and traveling to Hawaii I found myself unable to keep up. Now things are beginning to slow down and as the dust settles I can look back and see how things went.

At the Best of the West we finished tied for 5th with our best showing ever. We took a tough loss to Mira Costa in the quarters and followed it up with a great win over Corona Del Mar. We did not celebrate long as it was time to head to Chelsea's memorial. All of the coaches at the tournament agreed to let us play early so we could attend. It was a special day.

For the next two weeks we rolled over some San Diego competition and began to get excited about heading to Hawaii. Once the NCI tournament preparations were done, we packed our bags and hit the beach.

Hawaii was an unbelievable trip. The boys had an amazing time and played some really good volleyball. We body surfed at Waimea, outrigger canoe surfed in Waikiki, hiked to a waterfall, battled a reef (and lost) and still managed to make it on time for our matches. We made it to the finals with a great win over Kamehameha, but unfortunately ran out of gas in the finals and lost to Iolani.

We are currently 13-4 and ready to begin league. We play Carlsbad today 3/31 and hope to begin our run toward a league title.

Our First Match is Tomorrow!

To say it has been an interesting start to the year would be an understatement. We have had 2 scrimmages and one practice since announcing the team and we find ourselves playing San Clemente tomorrow for our season opener. Things have only just begun to get back to normal for us in the gym and tomorrow should be a lot of fun. Right now the guys are really battling with each other for positions. Many of the players are excelling in one area while their teammates in the same position excel in another. Hopefully we will find a good way to utilize our strengths and put it all together. Check back on Wednesday for an update on how the San Clemente match goes (we will be getting back late tomorrow and I don't think I will be able to post).

God Bless Chelsea King

I am very proud to be a Titan today. When the team and I came together at 5 o'clock we were not feeling great. I told the boys that I was happy they were all there and that we need to come together today and not have tryout or practice, but just play and try to have some fun. For an hour I watched as they found a way to release some energy and even smile. For that short time, while they were able to escape the realities of the day, I was able to as well. Afterwards I saw many of the boys at the candlelight vigil and I thought to myself "I am really lucky to be able to coach such a great group of kids."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chelsea King's family.

Coach Jackson

Everyone is in the gym and tryouts are almost over

3/1/10

For the first time today I got to take a look at all of the guys looking to make this year's squad. I must say that I was very impressed and excited about what I saw. We had twenty guys really battling it out and working hard. Tomorrow I will make my final decisions (which is going to be tough) and then we will get to work on what I think is going to be an awesome year.

I should also add that I am very thankful to have such a great group of guys to work with this year. The past few days have been very tough for me personally as Chelsea King is one of my former students. I am thankful that when I am in the gym with the guys it helps me feel better and back in control during a time that is filled with chaos. I continue to pray and think positive thoughts for Chelsea and hope that other continue to as well.

Coach Jackson

The season has begun!

Well it is official. The 2010 season is underway. We completed our first night of tryouts this evening and I am really excited about how things went. Not only did the talent level look good, but I was really impressed with the attitudes of the kids in the gym. With 8 guys missing due to basketball playoffs we just mixed everybody up and got a couple of fun games in. The guys were really supportive of of each player's ability and experience.

With 33 guys (Basketball included) trying out for Varsity and JV combined, it is going to be a tough selection process.

Looking forward to Tuesday's tryout.

Coach Jackson