Sports
Corki’s Embroidery closing after almost 60 years in Newport Beach
Corki’s Embroidery took on a lot of custom jobs the other half-dozen or so other shops in the Newport Beach area wouldn’t, which meant that over the years the business had many clients approach them with special orders carrying deep sentimental value.
Employees recall one woman who came in carrying the wedding tuxedo of her husband, who had died at a young age.
“She wanted this inscription that we made inside the coat so he would be buried with her thoughts, that they would meet again. Stuff like that comes through the door, and you just sort of, ‘Oof!’” seamstress Linda Pierce exclaimed. “Yes, of course we’ll do it!”
Other memorable jobs were blankets customized with the names of children cared for by an orphanage and the sewing of American flags onto to the gear of beach volleyball pros April Ross and Jen Kessy ahead of their silver medal finish in the 2012 Olympics.
Their work has helped people commemorate weddings, graduations, as well as countless other special moments and people over the course of their decades in business.
Owner Barbara “Corki” Rawlings told the Daily Pilot she has reveled in her role in the Newport Beach community. After celebrating her 90th birthday in 2024 and running her shop for 59 years, she’s decided to close it at the end of June and settle into retirement.
But that doesn’t mean she’s done sewing. She’ll move her favorite vintage Singer 401A Slant-O-Matic from the store workshop to her desk at home alongside three other similar machines, she said.
Barbara “Corki” Rawlings peers over her workbench and favorite sewing machine Tuesday at her embroidery shop in Newport Beach. The store is closing at the end of June after 59 years in business.
(Eric Licas)
Rawlings has sold the building tucked away on Old Newport Boulevard she had been doing business out of. The commercial sized machine they used for high-volume orders will pass into the ownership of another local seamstress.
“I thought maybe somebody would buy the property and allow me to stay for a couple years while they’re getting permits for tearing it down,” Rawlings said. “And when I turned 90, I guess I just thought, ‘Why?’ And for me it was the right decision. No regrets.”
Long running thread
Sewing is something threaded into the core of the business owner’s upbringing. Some of Rawlings’ earliest memories involved making garments “at my mother’s knee.”
“I worked the pedals on her sewing machine,” she said. “She made all our kids’ clothes. I made all my kids’ clothes, drapes, everything.”
Her mother was a teacher who eventually settled in Santa Ana. Through sewing and living in Orange County, Rawlings became involved in the boating community.
She used to help the original owner of Nikki’s Flags with orders for many of the yacht clubs in the Newport Beach area, and eventually bought that business in 1966. Rawlings sold the flag shop in 1994, but continued the embroidery store under her own name.
“The nautical part of it, I won’t say came naturally; I had to learn it” Rawlings said. “But it was easy. I loved the water. I loved the boating. And then it kind of turned into coaching.”
She moved to a home at the Newport Sea Base in 1974, and became a scout leader for the Sea Scouts. She was also a volunteer for the Coast Guard, and has been a referee for NCAA rowing events for 26 years. She’ll be in New Jersey as a guest referee for the Division I Women’s championship in June.
Two of her sons, Billy Rawlings and Bob Rawlings, help run the Newport Aquatic Center and the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, respectively. Another, Brian Rawlings, helped design Icebreaker Argus, a 68.5 meter long vessel built to explore polar waters.
“Not very much of a businesswoman”
Yacht clubs have remained some of Rawlings’ most loyal customers. Other longtime clients include local fire and police departments, as well as rowing teams and other aquatics programs at practically every high school in Coastal Orange County. So it’s not unusual for Rawlings, Pierce and a third seamstress who has also been working with them for decades, Joyce Brownell, to find garments they personally stitched while they’re out and about in the community.
“With the Junior lifeguard backpacks — I live on the Peninsula, so I can see [junior lifeguards] riding by on their bicycles, and I can go, ‘Hey! I did that one!’” Pierce said.
Pierce, Rawlings and Brownell take pride in their work, and have personally sacrificed to ensure everything that leaves their shop meets their standards. They’ve eaten the cost to replace garments inadvertently damaged by equipment malfunctions. And even when a swimming or rowing team shows up with a couple hundred blankets and polo shirts that need to be finished in a week or so, it’s hard for them to say no and disappoint their clients.
“I spent many a night here, locked the doors and kept sewing,” Rawlings said. “And I still love sewing. It’s my own fault when that happens because I’ve said yes to something that was overwhelming or too much, and had to get it done.”
“But look at this! And look at these!” she continued while proudly holding up backpacks customized for the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards and a folder of elaborately stitched designs in blue, gray, gold and practically every possible color of thread.
Rawlings said their personal investment into each piece they make, and the relationships she built with the people she serves have been the key to her shop’s longevity. She considers most of them her friends.
“I am obviously, and still, not very much of a businesswoman,” the founder of a store that has lasted almost six decades said.
“Friends brought in business, and it just expanded from there.”
Humble beginnings founded on meaningful connections led Rawlings to a finale in a career she can bow out of proudly. In some ways, her decades in business mirrored the process of crafting a fine garment.
“A lot of the finished project depends on how you start; how you hoop, the backing you use, the overlay you use, whatever the material you’re embroidering on requires,” she said. “… No puckering. you don’t want pucker.”
Bobbins of thread in a variety of colors sit on the workbench of Barbara “Corki” Rawlings Tuesday at her shop in Newport Beach.
(Eric Licas)
Sports
Broward 4A-1A girls volleyball first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year
FIRST TEAM
Yasmin Dias Tonon, OH, North Broward Prep senior: Recorded 320 kills, 194 digs, 60 aces, 40 blocks and .389 hitting percentage; registered 21 kills in a match; had 18 kills in state championship match; helped lift Eagles to district, regional and state title; Bentley University signee.
Kaylee Foreman, libero, Pine Crest junior: Team captain; recorded 625 service receptions, 393 digs, 115 assists and 43 aces; Palm League All-Tournament Team; NHSCA Academic All-American First Team; Under Armour Next Camp Series Invitee; AVCA Phenom selection; Team Florida 15U member; Yale University commit.
Mia Gold, OH, Pine Crest senior: Led the Panthers to a district and regional title; team captain; recorded 440 kills, 249 digs, 45 aces; recorded 28 kills and 13 digs in state semifinal; school record holder for kills; England National Team selection; Boston College signee.
Melia Howze, MB, Chaminade-Madonna freshman: Led Lions to district championship and 2A regional quarterfinal appearance; recorded 308 kills, 80 blocks and .443 hitting percentage; recorded 25 kills to lift team to district title win.
Samantha McMillan, OH, Coral Springs Charter senior: Led Panthers to 3A regional quarterfinal appearance; recorded 251 kills, 282 receptions and .335 hitting percentage in just 60 sets played; registered 28 kills in a match; American University signee.
Destiny Wiggins, libero, North Broward Prep senior: Recorded 436 digs, 438 service receptions, 91 assists and 36 aces; registered 31 digs in a match; had 22 digs in state championship match; helped lift Eagles to district, regional and state title.
SECOND TEAM
Isabella Collado, setter, Pine Crest eighth-grader
Gabriella Florian, OH, Pine Crest junior
Camryn Kanell, MB, Calvary Christian Academy senior
Emma Luehrs, setter, North Broward Prep eighth-grader
Jayda Palumbo, OH, North Broward Prep junior
Adriana Powers-Hadley, OH, Sagemont junior
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage: Lyla Pack
Calvary Christian: Sophia Azevedo, Reese Mittauer, Jada Stephenson
Cardinal Gibbons: Jordan Andrews, Ava Flores, Beatriz Matos
Chaminade-Madonna: Paloma Castellanos, Keylanis Cruz, Amy Wood
Coral Springs Charter: Olivia Greco, Mia Luersen
Franklin Academy: Sofia Hernandez
Highlands Christian: Ali Diaz, Emily Eades
North Broward Prep: Layni Tobias
Pine Crest: Jasmine Florian, Elizabeth Sauby, Elle Schneider
Sagemont: Daniella Seijo
Sheridan Hills: Sophia Broch, Jasmine Cummings, Deborah Point Du Jour
University School: Daniella Lugo
Westminster Academy: Zoe Burton, Amelia Benkendorf
COACH OF THE YEAR
Brian Coughenour, North Broward Prep: The Eagles finished 26-2, earned a district championship and regional title and won the 4A state championship. “I am very proud of this team. They came into the season ready to work hard and with one goal in mind in bringing North Broward Prep their first volleyball state championship. They earned that championship along with a number of individual awards. I held them to a very high standard and they not only met it but exceeded my expectations. I am very excited for the future of this program and blessed to be part of it.”
Sports
Broward 7A-5A girls volleyball first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year
FIRST TEAM
Fabiana Castro, setter, Archbishop McCarthy senior: Led Mavericks to district and regional title; team captain; registered 490 assists, 187 digs and 64 aces; recorded 39 assists in state semifinal win; will play volleyball and beach volleyball for Miami-Dade College.
Sydney Guerrier, setter/OPP, St. Thomas Aquinas senior: Team co-captain; registered 383 assists, 146 kills, 144 digs and 31 blocks; BCAA All-Star Team MVP; FACA All-Star; AVCA All-Region, All-American Second Team, Best and Brightest Third Team and Honorable Mention selection during career; American University signee.
Sophia Guzman, OH/OPP, Cypress Bay senior: Led the Lightning to district title and Class 7A regional final; recorded 274 kills, 4.0 kills/set and 250 receptions; registered 20 kills in regional semifinal win; selected team captain and team MVP; Southern Connecticut State University signee.
Paige Hill, OH, Western senior: Recorded 235 kills, 360 digs, 69 aces and 36 blocks; registered 20 kills in a match; two-year team captain and four-year starter; will play volleyball for Emmanuel University.
Emmi Merhi, OH, St. Thomas Aquinas senior: Helped lift Raiders to district and regional championship; recorded 248 kills, 250 digs, 437 receptions and 36 aces; registered 14 kills in regional semifinal win; Troy University signee.
SECOND TEAM
Isabella Cabrera, OH, St. Thomas Aquinas sophomore
Erin Huang, setter, Cypress Bay senior
Brianna Masaracchio, OH, Archbishop McCarthy senior
Adriana Medrano, libero, St. Thomas Aquinas senior
Sanai Mitchell, MB, Western senior
Hailey Trebbien, setter, St. Thomas Aquinas senior
HONORABLE MENTION
Archbishop McCarthy: Raquel Hurtado, Valentina Santamaria, Em’Pris Seetal
Cypress Bay: Julia Diaz, Margot Lantrade, Victoria Urizar
Deerfield Beach: Giovanna Campos
Everglades: Jonnele Mends, Zoehe Sharpe
Flanagan: Krystine Escalante
Fort Lauderdale: Lorena Rondon
Pembroke Pines Charter: Julie Lobato, Sophia Peterseil, Abigail Reynolds
Piper: Melody Delamotte, Isabella Delgado
St. Thomas Aquinas: Leah Novatne, Violette Zayas
Stoneman Douglas: Isabella Cox, Alyssa James
Western: Valeria Luque, Alyssa Noble, Sarah Perez
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
Lisa Zielinski, St. Thomas Aquinas: The Raiders had a 27-5 record, won a district title, regional championship and finished as the Class 6A state runner-up. “Reaching the championship is never easy, and this team earned every bit of it. After losing six starters
last year, I don’t think anyone thought we’d be back. We didn’t walk away with the trophy, but we proved we’re a team that battles. We competed with heart, toughness and the kind of fire that’s hard to teach.”
Robert Perez, Archbishop McCarthy: The Mavericks had a 28-4 record and captured the district and regional title. They finished as the Class 5A state runner-up. “We had a goal and we all locked into it. It was one team and one dream. We knew this was the team that can finally take that step. The program was due for a final four for the first time in school history. From day one, the entire roster knew this team was special. Practices were special and we competed versus each other like there was another team on the other side of the net. This roster made each other better because how deep and talented we are. The ladies in teal are for real.”
Local Weather Alerts
There are currently no active weather alerts.
WBIW
error: Content is protected !!
Sports
Palm Beach 4A-1A girls volleyball first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year
FIRST TEAM
Ava Castro, OH, Cardinal Newman senior: Led the Crusaders to a 3A regional quarterfinal appearance; recorded 328 kills, 207 digs, 38 blocks, 26 aces and .374 hitting percentage; registered 26 kills in a match; holds the school record for kills; Boston College signee.
Emmie Hill, MB, Benjamin sophomore: Led the Bucs to a 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 210 kills, 63 blocks and .351 hitting percentage; registered 20 kills in a match; USA Volleyball National Team Development Program selection.
Mikayla Matuszko, OH, King’s Academy freshman: Led the Lions to a district title and 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 314 kills, 173 digs and 61 aces; registered 22 kills in a match; USA Volleyball U17 National Team selection.
Riley McCaughey, setter, Benjamin senior: Led the Bucs to a district championship and 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 600 assists, 187 digs, 97 kills and 63 aces; registered 55 assists in a match; 3,064 career assists; University of South Florida signee.
Luiza Queiroz, OH, St. Andrew’s seventh grader: Led the Scots to a 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 420 kills, 187 digs and 69 aces; registered 41 kills in a match.
SECOND TEAM
Dayana Acevedo, setter, Cardinal Newman senior
Lyla Buser, OPP, Cardinal Newman senior
Caitlin Crino, setter, Boca Raton Christian junior
Miranda Knoll, OH, King’s Academy junior
Taylor Walsh, setter, St. Andrew’s sophomore
Caroline Wright, OH, Boca Raton Christian sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage-Delray: Dagan Rothbaun, Daniela Staton
Atlantic Christian: Anayah Enamorado
Benjamin: Mackenzie Bryan, Londyn Clark, Emma Markin
Boca Raton Christian: Brianna Nahmod, Mackenzi VanZwieten
Cardinal Newman: Olivia Peterson
Dreyfoos: Amelia Gallogly, Erin Larsen
Jupiter Christian: Addison Dorsey
King’s Academy: Bella Pons, Alanis Molina, Hunter Saltalamacchia
Lake Worth Christian: Cassidy Childers, Savannah Monier, Ella Vandenberg
Oxbridge Academy: Jessica Jerabek, Olivija Kozul
St. Andrew’s: Ashlyn Cobb
St. John Paul II: Meallen Gunther, Emily Rodriguez, Lyla Tomko
Suncoast: Bella Zingaro
COACH OF THE YEAR
Len Visser, Boca Raton Christian: The Blazers won a district title, regional championship and captured their first girls volleyball state championship in school history. They won seven straight matches to close the season. “I am proud that every girl was part of winning states. It’s special because the girls persevered through some very close losses. “We played like a team and I had total confidence in them. They all trusted each other. It’s truly one of my closest teams and they lifted each other up.”
Jupiter Christian senior outside hitter Ella Brodner reached 400 kills in a single season for the first time while Boca Raton Christian sophomore Hannah VanZwieten delivered a remarkable performance throughout the playoffs to lift the Blazers to their first girls
volleyball state championship in school history.
The two top performers were recognized as the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach 4A-1A girls volleyball co-players of the year.
Brodner, a University of Virginia signee, had 400 kills, 5.7 kills per set and a .336 hitting percentage in just 70 sets played. She also added 244 service receptions, 218 digs, 39 aces and 25 blocks. She had 35 kills in four sets in a district semifinal victory.
Brodner holds the school record with 1,488 kills and 944 digs during her five seasons with the Eagles. She recalled a victory against Jupiter during her junior season as one of her most memorable matches in high school.
“I met the expectations I had set for myself since I came in the eighth grade,” Brodner said. “To end with 400 kills in a season was pretty cool. It’s exciting to hold school records. I could not have done it without any of my teammates. Coach Sarah [Mize] helped me with my mental toughness. I wanted to be an all-around player on the court. I made amazing memories and volleyball is so much fun. It was heartwarming to see little girls look up to me and how they were inspired because of how I play volleyball.”
Brodner took on a leadership role with several newcomers joining the Eagles. “When I was in the eighth grade, I was intimidated by most of the girls,” Brodner said.
“Allison Moore was a great leader and a big influence on me. She spent time helping me with volleyball. I wanted to be a big influence on our younger players. It was a rebuilding year and I knew it was going to be difficult, but I decided to stay. It’s a great
feeling to help the girls.”
Brodner enjoyed watching her two older sisters at volleyball practices and tournaments. She joined the Jupiter Elite Volleyball Club at 7. She helped her team qualify for nationals in multiple seasons.
“The growth of our club has been amazing,” Brodner said. “All the coaches helped in my development and to where I am now.” Brodner is excited about the opportunity to play with her older sister, Sarah, at the University of Virginia.
“My sister and I have been really getting close and it’s an amazing opportunity,” Brodner said. “I’m extremely blessed to get to play with her. The ACC is very competitive and I’m excited for college volleyball.”
VanZwieten delivered for the Blazers during their playoff run to capture the state title. She had 13 kills and 12 digs in the regional championship, 19 kills, 23 digs and six aces in the state semifinal and 12 kills and 15 digs in the state championship match.
VanZwieten displayed her versatility with 254 kills, 270 digs, 221 service receptions, 157 assists, 53 aces and 30 blocks during her sophomore season.
“We lost players from last year who had played a big role,” VanZwieten said. “The difference was that we played together as a team. Our coaches did a great job and we handled the pressure. We were so happy to push through and win the semifinal against Seacrest. We practiced hard and stayed focused during the final match. We were so excited to win it.”
VanZwieten’s older sister, Grace, plays collegiate volleyball at Tusculum. Her mom serves as an assistant coach at Boca Raton Christian.
She also competes in beach volleyball tournaments with her sister, Mackenzi, who was a key contributor for the Blazers during their championship run. The sisters won a thrilling beach volleyball tournament in Tavares during a college showcase event.
“I have a lot of fun playing with Mackenzi and we connect really well,” VanZwieten said. “We have that experience together in beach volleyball and it’s helped us when playing indoor. It’s been very special.”
VanZwieten, a setter with Tribe Volleyball Club, displayed her versatility at outside hitter for the Blazers during her sophomore season.
“I was able to get out of my comfort zone and work on my game to get better,” VanZwieten said. “I played with a lot of energy and cheered on my teammates.
No easy fix for what ails college football, but it’s still fun
Broward 4A-1A girls volleyball first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year
Alexandria Area Youth for Christ moves into new building and will be adding a new program in January – Alexandria Echo Press
Broward 7A-5A girls volleyball first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year
Oregon Ducks Could Steal Another Transfer Portal Player From USC Trojans
Volley Tots launches at BNL, introducing young athletes to volleyball fundamentals
Nebraska volleyball fans saw 62% of All-Americans during 2025 season
Report: Terry Smith’s lack of FBS head coaching prevented him from landing Penn State job
Palm Beach 4A-1A girls volleyball first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year
Ella Brodner, Jupiter Christian senior; Hannah VanZwieten, Boca Raton Christian sophomore
Kaleb Glenn gives perfect example of how NIL can be used the right way
Texas’ Michael Taaffe Delivers Critical NIL Advice to Young Athletes
Maryland Youth Ballet takes center stage performing holiday classic
End of year means time to deliver some gifts | Andy Baskin
Washington Huskies Star WR Denzel Boston Declares for 2026 NFL Draft
Fargo girl, 13, dies after collapsing during school basketball game – Grand Forks Herald
SoundGear Named Entitlement Sponsor of Spears CARS Tour Southwest Opener
Jo Shimoda Undergoes Back Surgery
Redemption Means First Pro Stock World Championship for Dallas Glenn
Bowl Projections: ESPN predicts 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, full bowl slate after Week 14
Black Bear Revises Recording Policies After Rulebook Language Surfaces via Lever
Robert “Bobby” Lewis Hardin, 56
Donny Schatz finds new home for 2026, inks full-time deal with CJB Motorsports – InForum
How this startup (and a KC sports icon) turned young players into card-carrying legends overnight
How Donald Trump became FIFA’s ‘soccer president’ long before World Cup draw
Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Release 2026 Indoor Schedule with Opener Slated for December 6 at Home
David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Indiana’s rapid ascent and its impact across college football
Michael Jordan’s fight against NASCAR heads to court, could shake up motorsports
Wisconsin volleyball sweeps Minnesota with ease in ranked rivalry win
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoSoundGear Named Entitlement Sponsor of Spears CARS Tour Southwest Opener
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoDonny Schatz finds new home for 2026, inks full-time deal with CJB Motorsports – InForum
-
Rec Sports2 weeks agoDavid Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
-
Motorsports3 weeks agoJR Motorsports Confirms Death Of NASCAR Veteran Michael Annett At Age 39
-
Sports3 weeks ago
Elliot and Thuotte Highlight Men’s Indoor Track and Field Season Opener
-
Sports3 weeks ago
West Fargo volleyball coach Kelsey Titus resigns after four seasons – InForum
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoRick Ware Racing switching to Chevrolet for 2026
-
NIL2 weeks agoDeSantis Talks College Football, Calls for Reforms to NIL and Transfer Portal · The Floridian
-
Sports3 weeks agoTemple Begins Indoor Track & Field Season at UPenn This Weekend
-
NIL3 weeks agoColleges ponying up in support of football coaches, programs