Whittier, California – Río Hondo College women’s volleyball team is celebrating its 2023 South Coast Conference (SCC) championship, which secured the College’s first conference title since 1995 with a historically dominant performance that spanned the entire regular season.
The Roadrunners ended the regular season with a 20-4 overall record and 15-1 run through the SCC. The team will look to continue making history in the playoffs, starting with the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) Southern California Regional, with the bracket set to be unveiled Thursday, Nov. 16.
Río Hondo College won 15 of its final 16 regular season matches, including six straight to end the year. The championship team has catapulted Río Hondo College to No. 12 in the California Community College Volleyball Coaches Association rankings.
“I am so proud of this team, they play with such grit,” Río Hondo College volleyball coach Teddi Esko said. “This team has the mental and physical stamina to power through to win, despite the challenges and pressure. Our belief system is so high, it has truly helped us battle out of binds."
A total of seven Roadrunners earned All-SCC honors for their standout play throughout the season. Esko received the SCC Coach of the Year Award, while sophomore outside hitter Maria Bejines was named the SCC Most Valuable Player – the conference’s top honor – and sophomore Jaida Zuniga was voted the SCC Libero of the Year. Freshman outside hitter Jade Fuentes and setter Carly Kejmar made the All-SCC First Team and sophomore middle blocker Jayleen Garcia and freshman opposite hitter/setter Madison Mader were picked for the All-SCC Second Team.
Río Hondo College secured at least a share of the SCC title with a homecoming sweep of Los Angeles Harbor College (25-14, 25-13, 25-17) on Nov. 3, then won the conference crown outright with a thrilling five-set win at home over El Camino College (25-16, 23-25, 19-25, 29-27, 15-7) on Nov. 8 and ended the regular season with a four-set victory over Long Beach City College (25-8, 24-26, 25-17, 25-14) on Nov. 10.
“Coach Esko and the entire volleyball team has made Río Hondo College proud not only through this championship but through the hard work and dedication they have displayed all season,” Río Hondo College Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Their tireless efforts made it possible to earn this honor and continue throughout the regionals and the state championship tournament. The entire coaching staff has been outstanding for our student-athletes and have done a fantastic job every day getting them prepared for competition this year.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
VOLLEYBALL1: Río Hondo College women’s volleyball won the 2023 South Coast Conference championship with a 20-4 overall and 15-1 league record. The team won 15 of its final 16 regular season matches, including six straight to end the year, and is currently ranked No. 12 in the California Community College Volleyball Coaches Association rankings.
VOLLEYBALL2: A total of seven members of Río Hondo College women’s volleyball earned All-South Coast Conference honors for their standout play throughout the 2023 season. Coach Teddi Esko received the SCC Coach of the Year Award, while Maria Bejines was named the SCC Most Valuable Player, the conference’s top honor, and Jaida Zuniga was selected the SCC Libero of the Year. Jade Fuentes and Carly Kejmar made the All-SCC First Team and Jayleen Garcia and Madison Mader were picked for the All-SCC Second Team.
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3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601
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RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2023
CONTACT: Ruthie Retana
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