It was Family Day at the first Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon of the new school year on Monday at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
There was special guest Jamie Neushul, a member of the USA gold-medal winning women’s water polo team at the Tokyo Olympics, talking about her older and younger sisters Kiley and Ryann, respectively. All three women are Dos Pueblos alums. Kiley won water polo gold at the 2016 Olympics and retired earlier this year. Ryann was one of the final players cut before the Tokyo Games.
Eliana Urzua, a standout freshman volleyball player for Bishop Diego and the female Athlete of the Week recipient, was joined by her two sisters and teammates, senior Alina and junior Siena, as well as parents Larry and Amy, and youngest sister Karina.
San Marcos senior quarterback Joaquin Sandoval had his mom and dad, Korlynne and Tony, and grandparents in attendance to see him be honored as the male Athlete of the Week.
Even SBART President Ken Newendorp was part of the family atmosphere in the Ranchero Room as his nephew, San Marcos wide receiver and return specialist Lance Bermudes, came to the luncheon with coach Ralph Molina. Lance’s mom, Hattie, is the sister Newendorp’s wife Katie. The grandparents also were part of the entourage.
San Marcos Athletic Director Abe Jahadhmy, who has been at the school for more than 30 years, noted that the parents and even grandparents of some of the student athletes at the luncheon are part of the San Marcos family tree.
“Today is Royal family day, no doubt,” said Jahadhmy.
Here is the rundown of the sports represented at Monday’s press luncheon:
Bishop Diego Girls Volleyball
Coach Dillan Bennett has the pleasure of coaching the three Urzua sisters.
“These guys are half of our staring lineup, they’re the foundation of our program,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the work they put in on the court, in practice, in class. It’s really a pleasure to work with these three young women, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build on the successes we’ve had so far this season and into the future.”
The Cardinals play Santa Ynez and Cate on Thursday and Friday this week before tackling Dos Pueblos at home next Tuesday
San Marcos Girls Volleyball
The Royals were represented by seniors Ava Cole and Kennedy Frisell and junior Riley Green.
Cole runs the offense for the Royals, who’ve won two regular matches and went unbeaten at the Bishop Diego Cardinal Classic last week.
“She’s always calm and gets the ball to the right places. She’s going to have a really great season,” said Jahadhmy, speaking for co-coaches Tina Brown and Dwayne Hauschild.
Frisell plays outside hitter and defensive specialist. “The coaches say she’s doing a really good job,” said Jahadhmy.
Green is a potent outside hitter who is coming back from an ankle injury.
“She’s our most experienced player,” said Jahadhmy. “She’s out there playing back row and is just dying to get out and get some kills.”
San Marcos Football
First-year coach Ralph Molina was watching his team warm up before the season opener against Morro Bay and didn’t like what he was seeing.
“We’re doing our warm-ups and doing our practice plays and we didn’t get anything right. And all my coaches are looking at me,” he said. “I’ve been through this and I wasn’t worried about it. I cut it off and said, ‘Let’s go to the locker room.’”
Molina pointed out that everyone had been working hard in preparation for the season and good things will happen if they continue to work hard.
The Royals settled down after the first few plays and got rolling. They won the opener, 25-14, before big, enthusiastic crowd at Warkentin Stadium.
“We were making a few mistakes here and there and then we settled down. And the key was we scored in the first series,” Molina said.
A touchdown pass from Sandoval to Benji Rios sent the San Marcos fans into delirium.
“I had the headphones on, so usually I can’t hear anything, but the place went crazy,” said Molina.
And the team’s confidence grew. “You can see the confidence picking up and it kind of set the tone,” he explained.
After rotating quarterbacks in the first half, Molina stayed with Sandoval for the rest of the game.
“Joaquin is a natural leader. The kids listen to him and they follow him. He took control of the game and, for me, that was huge,” said the coach.
He also introduced Bermudes, whose ability as a kick and punt returner caught Molina’s eye while watching him on film from the spring season.
“I have two guys who can return it on any given return play and he’s one of them,” said Molina. “He’s a senior and he’s definitely one of our leaders. And I expect a really big season from Lance Bermudes.”
The football team has generated a lot of excitement at San Marcos. The students rushed the field after Friday’s win.
“I said, ‘Wow, this is just the first game, guys.’ But it was awesome to see that support from our student body,” said Molina. “We’re working hard and we’re in the right direction; we’re going forward one step at a time.”
The Royals travel to Santa Maria on Friday night. The Saints won their opener over East Bakersfield, 3-0.
Santa Barbara High Girls Volleyball
Kristin Hempy made her debut as coach of the Dons’ girls volleyball program, but she is no stranger to the press luncheon. Hempy was a volleyball and track & field standout at San Marcos and competed in track & field at Westmont College.
“I did go to San Marcos, and I have been out of town for the last couple of years. So it’s been a great opportunity to come back to teach and coach in the community,” she said.
Hempy introduced junior outside hitter Shae Delaney and senior libero Caroline Koceman. The two players turned in strong performances in a season-opening victory at Westlake last Friday.
On Delaney: “She was just a force on our offense,” said Hempy. “I love her competitive nature and just the spirit and passion she brought. She led our attack with 13 kills. I’m really excited about her leadership and her passion, and just the force that she gathers the offense around her.”
Hempy said Koceman led in the back row at Westlake with her defense and passing.
“She stepped in as our libero the first game,” said the coach. “Serving, she was awesome, competitive and very consistent.
“I’ve been excited by what these ladies have brought to the table, as well as the rest of our squad, and I’m looking forward to continuing on as we go through the season.”
The Dons are back in action on Saturday at the Oaks Christian Tournament.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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