As of last month, Oak Park High School’s girls beach volleyball team has made it to their playoffs. Head beach coach and JV indoor coach Sierra Cavalleri has been coaching beach at OPHS for the last 3 years.

“This is the first season we have participated in our own Coastal Canyon League, as well as the first season that beach volleyball has had CIF Playoffs. Going into my second season as head coach of the beach program and knowing this information, I could not wait to get to work and have a goal of making it to the playoffs, representing Oak Park for the first time in history,” Cavalleri said. “I am beyond blessed to have an extremely talented Varsity group that has all the drive in the world to want to compete.” 

After several years of scattering practices between North Ranch Park and Zuma Beach, the beach volleyball program at OPHS has recently received approval to build its own court at Deerhill Park. 

Many team members are grateful for the new courts being installed, while others are disappointed by the timing of the courts’ installation. 

“Our tournaments have gone really well this season; I feel like our team is so strong this year, both with team chemistry and skill-wise,” senior and varsity player Madelyne Cascione said. “I just wish I could’ve been here to play on the new courts that are being put in. We were hoping to have them even when we were freshmen, so the timing isn’t great. Either way, I’m still excited for everyone who will get to use them.”

The team has reportedly done very well throughout their season, making it to playoffs this week with the team’s number 1 seed making individual CIF playoffs. The OPHS beach volleyball team has come very far throughout the last 3 seasons. 

“Not only did our whole Varsity team make it to the playoffs but our top pair, Dylan Miller and Katelyn Dimond, were nominated by the coaches in our league to represent Coastal Canyon in individual pair CIF playoffs,” Cavallieri said. “I could not be more proud of the work these girls have put in to be in this position and I am excited to see what they’re capable of in the first round of playoffs!”