May 20, 2025

By Loren Kopff • @LorenKopff on X

Cerritos High may be the queens of 605 League softball, winning six straight titles and losing just twice in the circuit since its inception, but when it comes to the CIF-Southern Section divisional playoffs, the Dons haven’t had much luck recently.

The program had not won a playoff game since 2021 since defeating Whittier Christian High 4-3 in the quarterfinals. Since then, the Dons had lost four straight postseason games by a combined nine runs. And after the first two innings against Mira Costa High last Thursday, it looked as if that number would be five straight playoff losses.

But Cerritos, seeded third in the division, erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and eight more in the sixth as the Dons crushed the Mustangs 14-5 in a Division 5 first-round game. Coupled with an 11-1 win at Valencia High last Saturday, the team improved to 16-6 as it hosted Canyon Springs High in the quarterfinals. Cerritos already has the most wins since going 22-2 in 2021.

Mira Costa scored twice in the top of the first inning off junior pitcher Ava Ceron, who faced seven batters and threw 13 pitches. In the next inning, she tossed 15 pitches and gave up two more runs while facing six batters. After that, she settled down despite scattering six more singles.

“Something about this team that is special is they have very short-term memories,” said Cerritos’ first-year head coach Michelle Steck. “They’re really quick at flushing the mistakes or flushing what’s going on, staying loud, just playing Cerritos softball and coming back to find ways to win.”

“We had to stay up; we had to fight back,” said Ceron. “That’s something about our team. We always know how to keep it going even if we’re behind. I just felt like I was keeping my pitches too high. I usually am like a low [ball] pitcher, and the low balls produce flyouts and ground balls. I felt like I was kind of missing my spots, but I made the adjustments to produce the outs that we needed.”

Mira Costa was up 2-0 and had the bases loaded in the first when Sam Ure hit a ball that was caught by senior center fielder Anaya Granflor, who threw a dart to senior catcher Aliana Calderon, where she tagged out Maelie Fasano for the double play.

The Dons scored their first run in the third inning when Granflor was safe on one of nine Mira Costa errors, stole second, and scored on Ceron’s one-out groundout. Freshman right fielder Demi Lagare was also safe on an error and made it 4-2 by coming home on a passed ball.

After seeing the Mustangs, who won eight games in the regular season, tack on a run in the fourth inning, Cerritos continued the momentum in its half of the frame. Calderon, who at 4’ 11” is one of the shortest players on the team, singled off the glove of Fasano and scored on a double from senior third baseman Michelle Meza. Two more errors allowed senior shortstop Katherine Villegas to get to second with Meza scoring and freshman left fielder Noelle Martinez doubled down the left field line to plate Villegas.

Two outs later, Clara Wilcox walked Lagare, who stole second and went to third on an infield single. That set the stage for Ceron, who redeemed herself by placing an infield single in front of shortstop Madelyn Riethmiller, bringing in Martinez for the eventual game-winning run.

“They were just telling us to stay focused; keep doing what we know we could do,” said Ceron of the coaches.

“Ali is a little catalyst on this team, and she gets really frustrated with herself if she doesn’t get that big hit, which everyone wants,” said Steck. “I just have to keep reminding her that whatever it takes. I don’t care if it’s the ugliest bunt on the planet; it looks like a line drive in the books. We need to remember that it truly doesn’t matter. We just need something to get base runners in that situation.”

Ceron would leave runners at second and third in the fifth and yielded a two-out single in the sixth. But the Dons put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth by sending 12 to the plate. And just like Mira Costa was connecting on the first or second pitch thrown by Ceron in the early innings, the Dons were doing the same off Wilcox on the sixth.

With runners on first and second to begin the onslaught, Ceron, who is the leadoff batter, sophomore first baseman Zoe Corrales, Calderon, and Meza connected on a combined seven pitches, either getting a hit or a run-scoring groundout. A double from Villegas on an 0-2 count plated Meza to make it 10-5. That was followed by first-pitch singles from Martinez and Granflor, then a one-strike base hit from senior second baseman Lana Javier.

When it was all said and done, eight starters had at least a hit and drove in at least a run, while seven starters scored at least a run. Ceron went two for five and drove in a pair while Martinez, Meza, and Villegas all had two hits. And, while she did not have a strikeout, Ceron still survived a 12-hit attack by the Mustangs, who stranded nine runners.

This was the third time this season Cerritos had rallied from an early deficit to win. It trailed Kennedy High 8-2 after one and half innings on Mar. 17 and rallied for a 9-8 win and was down to Oxford Academy 6-2 after two innings on Apr. 11 before coming back for a 13-6 victory. That was the beginning of an eight-game winning streak heading into the quarterfinals. The Dons also scored a run in the bottom of the seventh against Mark Keppel High on Feb. 27 to win 7-6 after allowing three runs in the top of the seventh.

“We’ve done it kind of off and on all season [and] this was definitely a different situation, being that this was the first round of the CIF [playoffs],” said Steck of the rallies. “We haven’t been out of the first round of CIF for quite some time. We know that, but I think it’s not something I’d like to say we’re used to, but it’s something that they’re familiar with.”

“That was definitely our goal coming into the year,” said Ceron. “We wanted to get at least past round one, and we have such a great group of girls. I’m really happy that we were able to do it.”

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For multi-sport North Park student-athlete Riana Hayes, her collegiate experience in Chicago has been more than just volleyball matches and track meets. Her path from high school to becoming a standout collegiate athlete has been a story of unlocking her potential and unwavering resilience.
 

The junior from Wheeling, Ill. is already a Division III Indoor All-American in the 200 meters. She will run at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship this weekend in Geneva, Ohio as a member of NPU’s 4×100 meter relay team.
 
Hayes is also a three-year member of NPU’s women’s volleyball team, helping the Vikings to their first-ever CCIW regular-season championship in 2023 and back-to-back CCIW Tournament titles in 2022 and 2023.
 
DISCOVERING HER IDENTITY AT NORTH PARK
Growing up in Wheeling, Ill., Hayes was a three-sport athlete in high school and faced initial doubts about being a student-athlete in college. However, with the encouragement of her coaches and her sister, she took a leap of faith and joined the volleyball team in high school, ultimately finding success in the sport.
 

When it came time to choose a college, Hayes had specific criteria in mind. She wanted to pursue both volleyball and track & field while also finding a school that offered her desired major in elementary education. North Park – just 21 miles from her hometown – emerged as the perfect fit, offering her the opportunity immerse herself in all three areas as well as the campus community.
 
Hayes recalls feeling a sense of joy and gratitude when she discovered North Park and the coaches who believed in her potential.
 
“I ended up getting in contact with Coach Bisrat Kidane, and we started talking more and seeing the bigger picture of it all,” Hayes said. “I remember thinking to myself, I don’t know where I want to go. Do I want to go to this one school where I could only play one sport, or do I want to go to this school?
 
“Immediately, I talked to my sister about it, and she said, ‘Riana, it seems like you want to go to North Park … the way you talk about it, you have this joy in your voice and a need to see and explore something that could bring you so much gratitude.'”
 
Hayes embraced the opportunity to be a part of these teams and continue her growth as a collegiate athlete.
 
FINDING STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY
Hayes’s time at North Park hasn’t been without its challenges. During her freshman year, she faced the loss of her aunt, who was like a second mother to her. The support and encouragement she received from her teammates and coaches at North Park helped her navigate through this difficult time.
 
“Although I was going through something so hard and ended up losing my aunt … I had a second family to look to as a freshman,” Hayes said. “And I will forever be thankful for North Park for bringing me into an environment that could just allow me to be vulnerable.
 
“Hey, you’re an athlete, but you’re also a person, and things happen. And this is an outlet for you, and you have people around you who will support you and allow you to flourish and get into this environment to be competitive, to want more for yourself, to not be beaten up by the things outside, but being able to bring the things outside inside to motivate and push you.”
 
A BREAKTHROUGH SEASON

Hayes’s track & field career has been equally impressive.  As a sprinter, she has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, but her determination and faith have kept her going. Hayes attributes her success to the guidance of her coaches and the support of her teammates.
 
“The biggest question – what more can you do? – is really what pushes you to that successful point,” Hayes said. “So being able to rely on my coaches within the sense of asking those things, even (Coach Kidane), I would go into his office and completely talk about any and everything, whether it’s academics, and he really was an advocate for helping me discuss the way that I feel during things and letting me know that although I am his track athlete, I am also a person.”
 
One of Hayes’s breakthrough moments came during the CCIW Indoor Championship, where she secured all-conference status in the 55-meter dash and broke yet another North Park record. Just weeks later, she earned All-America status in the 200 meters by placing 11th at the NCAA Indoor Championship.

With seven school records to her name, Hayes continues to push herself to new heights and embrace the challenges that come her way.

 

STRIKING THE PERFECT BALANCE

In addition to her athletic pursuits, Hayes is also dedicated to her academic journey. As an elementary education major, she fulfills clinical hours and gains valuable experience in classrooms. Balancing her academic responsibilities, athletics, and personal life is no easy feat, but Hayes remains focused on her goals and strives to make a positive impact both on and off the field.

 

Looking ahead, Hayes envisions a future that combines her love for teaching and athletics. She aspires to become a third-grade teacher and hopes to continue her track & field career beyond college. Hayes’s unwavering passion and commitment to her craft inspire those around her, and she is determined to leave a lasting impact in both the educational and athletic realms.

 

LOFTY GOALS IN THE FUTURE

Hayes’s journey as a student-athlete at North Park University exemplifies the power of perseverance and the support of a close-knit community. Her story serves as a reminder that with hard work, faith, and the right support system, anything is possible.

 

As Hayes continues to make her mark at North Park, she remains grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped her into the athlete and person she has become.

 

Jennings County High School boys volleyball club recently finished its inaugural season with great success, especially for a first-year program. The team was coached by Ashley Sedam who was assisted by Halea Gibbons.

“It was great to watch the growth of the new program, even when they were losing you could see the growth. I’m excited to see the future of this program,” Laramie Elston, mother of senior Maddix Elston, commented.

Another parent said, “We played teams that were IHSAA members and had been around for a few years. We were competitive, no one blew us out.”

Even though it was his first, and last, season of volleyball, senior Kaiser Daeger stated, “I really enjoyed playing volleyball this season and building relationships with my teammates. I want to thank our coaches for their patience and dedication.

According to Missy Taylor, athletic department administrative assistant at JCHS, the plan is for the program to be a club sport for two years. “We have to make sure there will be enough interest so we can field a team every year,” said Taylor. “Their games had to be scheduled around track meets so the boys could go to track practice after school.”

There’s no limit on how long boys’ volleyball can be a club sport. The only downside to being a club sport is that the team is not eligible to play in a post-season tournament.

Hopefully interest in the sport continues to grow and JCHS can become a member of the IHSAA. Fielding a team in a tournament would be icing on the cake and a great way to honor this year’s graduating trailblazers.

Arizona track and field and cross country head coach Fred Harvey is retiring after 38 years at the university.

Harvey has spent the last 23 seasons leading the Arizona track and cross country programs, after 15 years previously as an assistant and associate coach.

Harvey will retire at the conclusion of the outdoor track season. The NCAA Outdoor Championships begin next week and end in mid-June.

“I am honored to have been one of only four head coaches of the Track & Field program at the University of Arizona since 1951,” Harvey said in a statement. “During that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest leaders in athletics history, including Cedric Dempsey, Jim Livengood, Rocky LaRose, Greg Byrne, Erika Barnes, and Dave Heeke. I am especially honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside the next great leader of Arizona Athletics, Desiree Reed-Francois. She continues to make meaningful, long-lasting contributions to the University and the Tucson community, and I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had under her leadership.”

Reed-Francois said Arizona is launching a national search for the school’s next track and cross country head coach.

“Coach Harvey’s transition marks a new chapter for Arizona Track and Field/Cross Country and the department remains committed to finding a leader who will build upon the program’s tradition of excellence, foster a culture of accountability and integrity, and provide championship-level experiences for student-athletes,” Reed-Francois said.

Under Harvey, Arizona’s track and cross country programs produced 11 individual national champions, 160 All-Americans and 14 Olympians.

The Arizona track and field program was competitive in the Pac-10/12 for the duration of Harvey’s career as head coach. In 2011 he earned Pac-10 Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year honors after leading both teams to runner-up finishes at the Pac-10 Outdoor Championships and top-10 national finishes at NCAAs.

In Arizona’s first year in the Big 12, the Wildcats finished eighth in both the men’s and women’s conference outdoor championships.

With Harvey’s retirement, the longest-tenured coach at Arizona is Jim Anderson, who has coached the Wildcats men’s golf team since 2012.

With a district championship on the line, junior Cohen Boehm showcased why he’s the heartbeat of the Lindbergh boys volleyball team, powering the Flyers to a 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22 win over Lutheran South in the Class 1 District 2 title match on May 14.

“One of our biggest leaders this year has been Cohen Boehm, a junior and team captain who stepped up and is attacking for the first time while also running our offense as a setter in the back row,” Lindbergh boys volleyball head coach Atom Zuniga said. “He can play defense, he can serve, he can set, he can swing, he can block. So, he does everything for us. He’s a huge part of our team, and that’s one of the reasons why he’s a captain.”

Lindbergh (28-2 overall) was also led by John Dobbs, who blasted 21 kills. Gabe Scheve put down 17 more, Dzejlan Sofic added nine spikes and Alex Ahrens had 26 assists.

“Gabe Scheve is a sophomore who is playing outside for the first time, and has made major growth as an attacker, while still remaining a top passer and defender in the area,” Zuniga said. “Tyler White, our libero, has made significant improvements in his effectiveness and confidence that have made him a mainstay in our back row. Dzejlan Sofic and Mason Vander Meer, our two senior middles, provide the maturity, composure and leadership to help balance out all these young guys and their fiery competitiveness.”

The Flyers’ victory marks the program’s second district championship in as many years — a testament to their growth and cohesion despite a relatively young roster.

“We definitely need to make some adjustments in terms of setting location and attacking consistency,” Zuniga said. “But one of the reasons we’ve had the success we’ve had is our cohesiveness. This group works really well together, on and off the court.”

Next up, Lindbergh travels to St. Pius X on May 20 for sectional play. St. Pius is coming off a major upset over top-seeded Saxony Lutheran in the District 1 final.

Zuniga complimented his squad on making the adjustments necessary to win matches throughout the season, something that comes with experience.

“Our biggest obstacle has been overcoming the natural struggles that come with a relatively young team,” he said. “Those guys are mature beyond their years, but we occasionally can become our own worst enemy. Fortunately, I’ve been proud of their resilience and ability to make adjustments in those moments, which they almost always have.” 

>LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State has added an impact guard from the transfer portal, as Chris Acker and his staff have secured the commitment of junior Isaiah Lewis from Little Rock.

 

Isaiah Lewis | Guard | 6-3, 165 | Los Angeles, Calif.

 

Guard Isaiah Lewis has committed to transferring to Long Beach State for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Lewis spent the last season at Little Rock, where as the starting point guard he helped guide the Trojans to a 19-14 overall record, averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while making 33 3-pointers on the year. Lewis played for Murray State College in 2023-24 where he shot 39.6 percent from three while leading the Aggies at 14.9 points per game as a true freshman, earning First Team All-Region as the Freshman of the Year. He prepped for Taft High School in Los Angeles, and will return to Southern California.

 

Acker on Lewis:

“We are excited to add Isaiah to our roster. His leadership and toughness will be heavily relied on this upcoming season. He is a guy that has gotten better every year he’s been in college and we are looking forward to him taking another step forward here with us at the Beach.”

 

Lewis gives Long Beach State their first Division I experience of the 2025 incoming class, joining transfers Rob Diaz III and Christian Jones along with incoming freshmen Dallas Washington and Gavin Sykes.