St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy’s Daniella Pallan (27) hits the ball over the net against Serra in their league girls volleyball game at Junipero Serra in Gardena on Tuesday. PMA defeated Serra 3-0. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

DOWNEY — With a large contingent of student-athletes in the St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy (PMA) Girls Volleyball program, things have been looking up over the past few seasons for the Warriors.

For the last two seasons it’s been a family affair.

PMA had 60 athletes tryout for the teams and currently has 42 on their varsity, JV and freshman teams.

PMA officially qualified for the CIF-Southern Section playoffs for the third consecutive year with its 3-0 Santa Fe league win over Serra of Gardena Tuesday (October 6).

The Warriors played Thursday October 8 against Bishop Conaty-Loretto. (Results not available at press time).

One regular season match remains next week against San Gabriel Mission.

Of the 13 league matches this season to date, the Warriors have swept their opponents seven times.

"It’s exciting to see how far our volleyball program has come over the past three years,” PMA athletcic director James Covell said. “After battling to earn playoff spots the past two seasons, this year we were just a few points away from competing for a league championship. That progress reflects the commitment of our players, the leadership of our coaches, and a growing belief in what we can accomplish together.”
Second year coach Chai Howard has a full squad to work with and last season it began to be a family affair – literally.

“Our senior class this year has deep playoff experience, great leadership skills that is translating with a fairly young team,” Howard said. “I think for the most part this season the seniors have been helping our younger class rise up to the occasion and knowing what it feels like to be in big games like some five-set thrillers.”

A family connection

Two sets of sisters, and a fifth girl that is a cousin to one of the sister duos make up that family connection.

Senior libero/defensive specialist Malia Melendrez and sophomore outside hitter Mircea “Mimi” Melendrez are one of the duos that are cousins to sophomore setter Giuliana Solano.

“I think it is the most important aspect within all the sports programs here at PMA,” said Solano, of the family bond. “I think it’s one of the main reasons why I chose (PMA).”

Malia Melendrez also said of the closeness of the team, “I feel like since we’re family it’ll allow room for expectations since we grew up with each other. On the court we really want to push each other.

“We all have the same idea that we want to win this year.”

The second set of sisters is senior Sofia Layug and sophomore outside hitter Brianna Layug.

Continuing with the family connection, Howard’s father Shay Fields is the assistant head football coach under Devah Thomas.

The Warriors are a balanced team with four sophomores, three juniors and six seniors.

Three of those six seniors - Malia Melendrez, Ashley Ortega and Sofia Layug were all brought up to varsity three years ago when they reached the CIF-SS Finals.

The sophomores are leading the way as Mimi Melendrez leads the team in kills, Solano leads the team in assists and sophomores Olivia Muniz (middle hitter) and Brianna Layug are starters.

Serra win propels PMA to playoffs

Recapping the playoff clinching match over Serra, the Warriors swept them in three sets, 25-4, 25-4, 25-15.

In the opening set with a close, 3-3 start for PMA, it turned into a one-sided affair, as the Warriors behind the serving of Malia Melendrez reeled off 15 consecutive points to lead, 18-3. It was highlighted by five kills in that stretch and six service aces by Melendrez. Mimi Melendrez had three kills. After an attack error by the Warriors, they finished the set with seven straight points with Sofia Layug serving.

In the second set, Solano opened with four consecutive aces and built up a 6-0 lead. After two attack errors by the Warriors, they won 19 of the next 23 points for the 2-0 set lead.

The third set was more competitive for Serra as they managed 15 points.

With a match point in sight, the set finished with a big save by Ortega, a save off of the net by junior setter Daniella Pallan and a kill by Brianna Layug for the winner.

“I feel like this game was a fun game,” said Mimi Melendrez, of the easy win over Serra. “It really helps us connect in more of a friendly bond rather than just sports. I feel like volleyball not only matters in skill, but it also matters in how well you bond with your teammate on and off the court.”

Coach Howard echoed what Mimi Melendrez said of the easy victory: “I think games like this is just really is an opportunity to build the bonds that we have and continue to build trust with each other and hope to carry us far in the playoffs,” she said. “I think our ultimate goal is to go far this year and just using every opportunity to have fun and learn about each other more.”

Assisting Howard this season is new addition Kennedy Freeman.

“My assistant coach (Freeman) is someone that I’ve played with a long time,” Howard added. “With the bond and trust between us, it just translates to the girls, especially with them being siblings and cousins.”

Howard and Freeman have been playing together since their freshman year.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited about where we’re headed,” concluded Covell. “This is a program and place where student-athletes can help shape what comes next.

“Each incoming class has helped raise the standard, with freshmen stepping in ready to challenge for varsity spots and make an immediate impact.

“We’re also learning from every experience. After last year’s first-round playoff trip, we felt we needed to better prepare our team for the demands of travel. This season, we opened with a game (3-2 win) two and a half hours away (Riverside Prep, Oro Grande), giving our players valuable experience so they would be ready and confident if the playoffs took us on a similar trip.”

PMA youth clinic

PMA will have a youth clinic on October 13th (Tuesday) from 3:30-5pm for anyone interested in getting to know the program and get some coaching from staff and coaches.

Also on the roster for PMA is Grace Hernandez (junior outside), Christina Gonzalez (senior libero), Genesis Ortiz (junior libero), Dylan Nelson (senior middle) and Maddy Valenzuela (senior middle).

What they said:

Malia Melendrez, senior libero: “Being a libero is more than just passing,” said Melendrez, of being a leader and first-touch digs. “I feel like its most about motivating your teammates and having a presence on the court. We get the first touch most of the time. If you get the first touch you can really set the way for the setter which is also a really important part of the team. That solidifies the connection between the whole entire team.”

Brianna Layug, sophomore outside: “I’m really excited, because this is the first time playing on varsity,” she said. “Most of the JV (last year) moved up to varsity, so I was able to connect with them a lot more.”

James Covell, athletic director: “Today, we’re competing with schools whose enrollment is five times our own, showing what’s possible when opportunity, hard work, and community come together. Our student-athletes can receive a quality Catholic education, build meaningful relationships, and compete at a high level, all while being part of a school where they are known, supported, and challenged to grow.”

Mircea “Mimi” Melendrez, sophomore outside: “I feel like the family connection really helps us bond as a team. Volleyball is a team sport. The cousins and my sister grew up together and it’s really easy for us to connect. Solano has been setting me for a long time.

The first time we touched a volleyball was in third grade.”

Family ties help PMA volleyball thrive