It’d be hard to script a more exciting beach volleyball season in the 562 last year, with three teams reaching CIF-SS championships. Wilson, Long Beach Poly and Millikan are all looking to get back to the top this season as every team in the Moore League continues to grow in the sport’s fifth year.

Check out where each team stands ahead of league play that begins today!

Wilson

In just a few short years in the sport, Wilson has established itself as one of the top programs in beach volleyball. The Bruins are coming off a season in which they won 17 straight matches, completed an undefeated Moore League campaign and captured the CIF-SS Division 2 championship with a win over Millikan.

The scariest part is the Bruins return their top pair in juniors Simrin Adams and Sadie Calderone, who Wilson coach Jeremy Cook says are among the best duos in Southern California. Both are already committed to play Division 1 beach volleyball, with Adams headed to Stanford and Calderone committed to San Francisco.

Wilson also returns four more starters from last season, including the Court 4 pair from the CIF-SS championship in senior Jane Morrison and junior Iyla Alvarado. The Bruins also bring back seniors Peyton Agura and Dani Dobie.

The Bruins will have a handful of newcomers stepping into big roles this season, including sophomores Madison Castillo and Sage Darling. Charlie Ginsberg and Alex Beverly are also set to step up as freshmen.

Cook has set his goals high with a tough non-league schedule that he hopes will prepare Wilson to repeat as Moore League champions. He also hopes to have three pairs named to All-League honors and become the first beach volleyball team in school history to reach Division 1.

Wilson will open Moore League play Tuesday against Jordan.

Millikan

With a CIF-SS Division 2 championship appearance in the rearview mirror, the Millikan beach volleyball program is focused on growth under coach Antoinette de la Espriella.

“We just want to improve from where we start to where we finish,” de la Espriella said. “I’m not necessarily concerned about our record as much as I am concerned about us learning through every single match and every practice and developing the players to grow and improve their game.”

It’ll be a split mix of new and old faces, but the Rams will return six of their 10 starters from their CIF-SS championship. Sarah Thaut and Bethany Arnold will be back on Court 1, while Millikan also returners senior Aubrey Greene, juniors Bella Bonales, Macy Blackman and Olivia Vitz, along with sophomore Johanna Maddison.

Millikan will welcome a couple of new players to the courts including junior Samantha Guzman along with sophomore Estella Lopez loped. The Rams also have a handful of freshmen including Ella Reyes, Lucy Morris and Hanna Martin.

“It’s fun to see where our new girls fit in, and we’ve been doing a lot of partner adjustments so far throughout the early preseason,” de la Espriella said. “I think a large part of our success this season will be how each individual competes with whomever their partner is and elevates whoever is on the court with them at that time.”

Millikan will open the season on Tuesday against Long Beach Poly.

Long Beach Poly

Long Beach Poly has enjoyed a recent streak of success across its volleyball programs, and head coach Litara Keil’s first season with the beach team was as successful as it comes. The Jackrabbits added to their long championship tradition with a CIF-SS Division 3 title, but Keil wants to build on that season while elevating the standard even higher.

“We have the talent to compete at a higher level this year, but it’s going to take consistency and strong partnerships, and it’s going to come down to how we handle pressure in the big moments,” Keil said. “If we’re steady, connected and mentally strong throughout the season, success will follow.”

It’ll be a younger team for Keil this season with the exception of three key returners, including the Jackrabbits’ Court 1 pair in junior Aleeya Salima and sophomore Londyn Foster. The duo had a huge three-set win in the championship match last season to lift Poly to a 3-2 victory over Canyon.

Sophomore Avery Milburn will return in an expanded role this season alongside a handful of promising freshmen. The Jackrabbits welcome first-year players Mina Orbiso, Keola Napoleon-Alvarez, Maddie Hong and Lailah Claiborne, and Keil looks forward to the continued growth of her young team under the leadership of her returners.

“Some of our returners now have the experience of pushing through a rough start last year during league play before turning it around and taking it all the way to CIF for the first time in school history,” Keil said. “That alone showed a lot of growth, progress and grit from a young team. I’m excited to see how they lead this season with our newcomers, who bring a lot of experience and passion to the game.”

Poly will open the season on Tuesday against Millikan.

Lakewood

The Lakewood beach volleyball program is on the rise under head coach Jessica Kaeka, who has a strong set of returners this year along with some first-time beach volleyball players.

Among those returners are seniors Joleen Ong, Alizae Leilua and Kyrah Feagin, along with junior Jenna Smith. Kaeka expects a big year out of all four, who have been playing beach volleyball for the past three to four years and will bring key leadership and experience to the younger players.

Kaeka has been encouraged by the energy of some of her new players, including sophomore Erin Francisco. The Lancers also have a pair of promising freshmen in Erica Ortiz and Emma Donaldson.

Lakewood will open its Moore League season on Thursday against Poly.

“What would make this season successful is simply getting the girls to love the game and compete,” Kaeka said. “The majority of our program is newcomers and most have never played volleyball in the sand before. While I want us to do well, compete and win, the most important thing in my mind is that they learn and retain the skills of beach volleyball, give their best effort and have fun in the process.”

Jordan

The numbers are up for the Jordan beach volleyball program, which has already opened its non-league slate with a couple of wins under head coach Lara Stone.

The Panthers return their Court 1 pair in senior Cardenas Vidal and junior Joselin Castillo, while junior Lizette Arellano is also back and will join sophomore Krissa Anjel Sibayan as Jordan’s Court 2 pair. Yuri Rodriguez and Ace Acevedo will also be back together to finish out their senior year.

Stone says she’s seen solid growth from junior Abby Guadarrama and sophomore Angelica Fernandez, along with a handful of newcomers. The Panthers will also welcome talented sophomores Krissa Anjel Sibayan and Yaretzi Lopez, along with freshman Isabella Jimenez.

The Panthers have already picked up wins against San Pedro and Buena Park and will open Moore League play Tuesday against Wilson.

“If they can finish stronger than they started and stay supporting each other every game, every pair, every practice, it is a successful season,” Stone said.