By Sophia Luckey
Staff Writer
Girls beach volleyball ended an undefeated season as both California Interscholastic Federation
Southern Section (CIFSS) Division 1 champions and CIF Individual Pairs champions.
On May 6, the Mustangs fought against Redondo Union High School at Long Beach City
College, with six Costa duos competing. The Mustangs worked their way to the finals, sweeping
the Sea Hawks, 5-0, earning the title of CIFSS Division 1 champions.
The Mustangs didn’t lose a single set against the Sea Hawks. The win didn’t just make the team
CIFSS champions but allowed them to become the first-ever team to win the title. Girls beach
volleyball was just sanctioned as a CIF sport, making this game the first-ever girls beach
volleyball CIF championship.
“It is a huge accomplishment winning the first CIF,” sophomore Emily Pfaff said. “I know that we
are all very proud of ourselves.”
Senior Tanon Rosenthal and junior Savanna Lau were the last duo to play. Even after several
hours of competition, they pulled out a win, allowing Costa to claim the CIF championship.
“I think the motivation to win this first-ever CIF is what led us to the win,” sophomore Taylor
Deckert said. “Everyone supports each other, whether they are playing or not. I think the team’s
energy is what helped us win.”
According to junior Charlie Fuerbringer, although the Mustangs didn’t lose a set, there were
some struggles they faced. The wind gave the Mustangs a momentary setback; however, it was
nothing they couldn’t overcome, according to Fuerbringer.
“The wind changes the whole game,” Fuerbringer said. “It is so much harder to play in windy
conditions, but we adjusted fast and played scrappy, which ultimately led us to the win.”
According to Fuerbringer, the Mustangs fought for every single point. Their strong willpower is
one of the key reasons they are known for success, and the Mustangs were thrilled to be named
the first girls beach volleyball CIFSS champions, according to Fuerbringer.
“Winning CIF is a blessing,” Fuerbringer said. “Every person on this team has worked so hard,
and everyone deserves this.”
The Mustangs went on to further their winning streak on May 10, when Fuerbringer and senior
Erin Inskeep faced their teammates, Rosenthal and Lau, in the finals of CIF Individual Pairs in
Newland, Huntington Beach. Fuerbringer and Inskeep took first, while Rosenthal and Lau
followed right behind in second.
“Their grit and effort was insane,” Fuerbringer said. “It was a close and intense match, but Erin
and I ended up winning, 21-19.”
Deckert and Fuerbringer both believe the reason for their team’s success is because of their
coach, Nancy Mason Reynolds. Manson Renyolds has coached multiple AVP champions and
even won some international medals of her own. The Mustangs appreciate her advice and
strategies while coaching.
“She told us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and this made us 20 times better,”
Fuerbringer said.
As the season comes to a close, the Mustangs are sad to say goodbye to their 2023 season but
are happy to end on such a high note, according to Pfaff. However, they cannot wait to get back
on the courts come next season, according to Pfaff.
“Our team is very close-nit, and I know everyone feels the bittersweetness of it all,” Pfaff said.
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