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SC Beach Volleyball is Warming Up
The warmth of the sun, the crash of the waves, the feel of the sand.
First-year Sierra Canyon Beach Volleyball Coach Darrin Phillips likes to set the scene for his squad. “We’ll have the music going—radio-edited versions of whatever the girls want to put on,” Phillips said.
Phillips is trying to restore a program that captured league titles in 2016 and 2018 but took a hit in numbers due to the pandemic canceling the past two seasons. His plan is to create an enjoyable and competitive atmosphere to bring out as many girls as possible.
Come for the beach, stay for the high-level volleyball.
“It’s about getting the girls on the beach, having fun, playing volleyball, and enjoying themselves,” Phillips said. “It also helps to be winning.”
Phillips certainly knows how to build a program. He is part of the husband-wife coaching duo with Stefanie Wigfall, that has guided Sierra Canyon’s indoor girls squad to two CIF Southern Section titles and one CIF state crown.
Beach Volleyball features three tandems facing off in a best-of-three format. Matches are held in Malibu at Zuma Beach or in Santa Monica at Will Rogers State Beach, Ocean Park, or Ocean Park North. Sierra Canyon also has the luxury of a sand court on the Lower Campus for practice.
“It’s definitely different from the indoor game. It’s only doubles, just you and your partner,” Phillips said. “There is a lot of talking and communication that needs to happen, and it takes a lot more training. But it’s fun to watch.”
Phillips said he has been pleased with all three of his tandems. Junior Olivia Babcock and freshman libero Lauren Lynch have formed the No. 1 tandem for Sierra Canyon and have a 6-0 record.
Sun’s out—guns out.
Babcock is verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh as an indoor player, which is fresh off an NCAA Final Four run. Lynch entrenched herself on the indoor squad that captured an unbeaten league title.
“They have been playing really well and have been gelling,” Phillips said. “They can be dominant. Olivia has already tattooed a couple of girls. That’s always a lot of fun.”
The No. 2 team features Natalie Babcock ‘23 and Rachael Reyes ‘24, a team that just came together over the weekend. “They made a seamless transition to playing together,” Phillips said. “They jumped in together and started playing well right away.”
The No. 3 team boasts a pair of seniors in Nala Henderson and Natalie Younan, lending their veteran presence. “I’ve been impressed with Nala and Natalie for sure,” Phillips said. “They are seniors who have taken a leadership role. They are at every practice, their communication has been really good, and they have had a good job relaying information to the team.”
Phillips said he has 20 girls on his roster. After the three tandems are chosen, the rest of the squad will also jump on the remaining courts and compete against the additional players from the opposing school. It is their chance to experience and grow with Beach Volleyball.
With no playoffs scheduled for this season due to ongoing pandemic concerns, Phillips is focused on building for the future.
Lower School: 11052 Independence Avenue
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311 | 818.882.8121
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311 | 818.882.8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.
