Girls Volleyball: Tanner Era begins for Laguna

The official start to the 2016 season for the Laguna Beach High girls’ volleyball team still may be a few weeks away, but the Breakers will swing into preseason action this weekend.

The Breakers will participate in the Foothill Queens Court, an annual summertime tournament that will be played at American Sports Centers in Anaheim Saturday and Sunday. They are taking the court this year under the direction of new head coach Carson Tanner.

Tanner, 26, replaces Raul Papaleo in the position. He coaches club ball at Tstreet Volleyball Club and has been coaching both club and high school since 2008. He has coached nationally ranked 16-Under club teams for the past four years and in that span his teams have captured two bronze medals and twice placed fifth at the Junior Nationals (Open division) .

Last season, Tanner coached the No. 1-ranked 13U and 16U teams in the Southern California Volleyball Assn., as well as the No. 1-ranked 16U team in the SCVA two years ago.

He previously was the junior varsity coach at Laguna Beach and also at San Juan Hills. He won a league title at both schools.

Tanner will lead a varsity program for the first time.

“I’m beyond grateful and excited at the prospect of leading such a prestigious program,” he said. “I plan on establishing a strong culture based on shared values, accountability, commitment and competing for many CIF titles.”

The Laguna program held tryouts for all teams at Dugger Gym Aug. 12.

“There’s been a great vibe in the gym and players have been bringing good energy, eagerness and a competitive spirit every day,” he said. “This is definitely a transitional year for the program, several seniors graduated, and I’ve brought in a solid, new coaching staff. I’m very excited about where the program is headed.”

“Several impact seniors graduated last season and it’s going to be a young roster. It will be a great opportunity for players to step up and take on some bigger loads.”

Tanner’s first team features three returning starters from a 2015 squad that went undefeated (10-0) in winning the Orange Coast League championship, and won three games in the CIF Southern Section Division 2AA playoffs before being eliminated in the semifinal round by eventual champion Village Christian.

The 2016 Laguna roster also includes four freshmen players.

Laguna is the No. 1 seed in Pool 11 of the Queens Court Tournament Varsity Division (64 teams) and is part of a pool that includes Agoura, University and Bishop Amat. The Breakers open pool play at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Laguna Beach Girls’ Volleyball

League: Orange Coast

CIF Division: 1

Head Coach: Carson Tanner (1st year)

Coaching Staff: Matt Malone (varsity assistant); Joey Pillon (JV coach); Ryan Murphy (frosh/soph coach).

2015 Record: 22-11

2015 League Record: 10-0 (champion)

2015 CIF Results: Reached Division 2AA semifinals

Returning Starers: 3

2016 Roster: *Aleya Post (middle blocker, Jr.); *Lexi McKeown (outside hitter, Jr.); *Chloe Edep (libero, Jr.); Elena Gillespie (setter, Jr.); Peri Brennan (S, Fr.); Soren Patchell (S/OH, Fr.); Gretchen Webb (OH, Jr.); Callista Wulff (OH, Sr.); Cambria Hall (OH/MB, Fr.); Taylor Magee (MB/Opposite, Jr.); Lucy Fontenot (MB/OPP, Sr.); Darla Fontenot (OH, Jr.); Delaney Basile (MB/OPP,Jr.); Hallie Carballo (OH/L, Fr.); Katie Hayden (L, Fr.). (*Denotes returning starter).

Returning with Honors: Lexi McKeown (second-team all-league).

Coaches Take: “We’ve got a young roster and there’s a lot of opportunity for players to step up and earn big roles,” Tanner said. “I’m excited to see how things will unfold.”

Season keys: “I believe the main key to our success will be the new roster developing strong relationships and a good rhythm. We will have to play great defense, pass at a high percentage and serve tough as well.”

The Schedule: “We have a very strong preseason facing Corona del Mar, JSerra and Newport Harbor. We’ve also scheduled some good matches toward the end of league (Sage Hill, San Juan Hills) so we can be prepared for CIF.”

Girls’ Volleyball Schedule

Saturday: at Queens Court Tournament (8 a.m.)

Sept. 7: at Corona del Mar, 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 9-12: at Dave Mohs Tournament

Sept. 13: JSerra, 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 15: Laguna Hills, 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 20: Newport Harbor, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 22: *Godinez, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: *Costa Mesa, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 29: at *Saddleback, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 3: at *Estancia, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 5:at *Calvary Chapel, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 11: at *Godinez, 530 p.m.

Oct. 13: at *Costa Mesa, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 14-15: at San Diego Tournament

Oct. 18: *Saddleback, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 19: at Sage Hill, 5:15 p.m.

Oct. 20: *Estancia, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 24: *Calvary Chapel, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 25: at San Juan Hills, 6:30 p.m.

(*denotes league game)