The Morro Bay High Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team won a first ever CIF Central Section Div. V Championship this season and played deep into the State Tournament.
The fall sports season has ended and Morro Bay High School celebrated one first-ever CIF Championship in Girls’ Volleyball, a water polo League Championship and shared another title in tennis, as the girl’s sports had one of the best seasons in school history.
MBHS Athletic Director, Tyler Hoyt, said, “Girls’ volleyball won a CIF Central Section Division 5 title and went on to finish second in the Southern California Regional [State] Tournament as well. This is the first CIF volleyball title in Morro Bay history.”
The Pirates competed in the Sunset League for Girls Volleyball, with the league championship going to Nipomo. The Titans coach Rocky Logue was named Coach of the Year.
The girls didn’t fare so hot during the league season finishing in the middle of the pack, but they excelled in tournament play all season. That pressure cooker really heated up when they hit the CIF playoffs, as the girls rallied together to dominate the Div. 5 Sectional tourney and put the first ever CIF Volleyball Championship plaque into the school trophy case.
In the Sunset League, they had one player, senior outside hitter, Alana Shields, named Second Team All League. Honorable Mention went to Middle Blocker, Lucy Duprey, also a senior.
Here’s a rundown on the rest of the MBHS fall sports teams’ honors. It should be noted that all the local schools compete under the umbrella of the Central Coast Athletics Conference and depending on size and past success of the team, can be placed in the Mountain, Sunset, or Ocean League.
Girls Water Polo
Morro Bay took the Sunset League Championship crown this year, and girl’s water polo Pirates Head Coach, Lucas Lastra was named Coach of the Year. Goalie of the Year went to Rylan Agin of Santa Ynez.
Morro Bay had four players named First Team All League: wing, Gianna Palmer, a senior; goalie, Ginger Russel, Sr.; center, Taylen Robinson, a junior; and, center defender, Hazel Hubbard, Jr.
Second Team All League saw honors bestowed on: center, Aleya Paul, Sr.; wing, Emily Lang, Jr.; and, center defender, Amara Sarrouf-Levine, Jr.
Honorable Mention went to: center, Willow Adreano, a sophomore.
“Girls water polo won a league title and had a playoff win over Tulare Western in sudden death over time,” Hoyt said. “Their playoff run ended in the following game with a loss at Reedley High School.”
Not a bad outcome for a school that went nearly two decades without a home pool.
Girls Golf
The Girls’ Golf Team competed in the Ocean League and Kaia Gallant of Paso Robles was the League MVP.
None of the Morro Bay girls were named First Team but they had three make Second Team: Coco Fortini, Samantha Nishiham, and Peighton Lopez.
Hoyt commented, “Girls golf had a great season that concluded with the Pirates finishing second in league.”
Girls Tennis
Morro Bay and Templeton High School tied for the Sunset League Championship this year.
“Girls tennis,” Hoyt said, “competed in a CIF Central Section Semi Final, but came up short against East Bakersfield.”
Cross Country
Morro Bay’s Cross Country Team had a good season as well, as the Boys’ Team finished third in the Section Finals and qualified for the State Meet at the end of November. They finished 18th at State and out of the money. Abe Gade was Morro Boys’ top finisher in Div. 4 taking 61st place.
On the girls’ side, Wendy Wilson, took sixth in CIF Div. 4 Finals and qualified for State as an individual. She was 49th in Div. 4.
Boys Water Polo
Morro Bay’s Boys’ Water Polo squad had a good season finishing second in the Sunset League behind champs Paso Robles. Paso’s coach, Collin Moore was Coach of the Year.
Morro Bay’s Miles Kennedy, a senior, and Santa Ynez’ Jake Montejano were both named Goalies of the Year.
First teamers included utility player Sy Nairne, and 2 Meter Evan Paris of Morro Bay, both are seniors.
Second Team All League went to: driver, Asa Belt; 2M, Alex Roberts; and driver, Christian Murphy of Morro Bay. All are seniors.
Morro Bay’s 2 Meter Defender, Weston Curter, a senior was named Honorable Mention.
“Boys water polo finished second in league to Paso Robles,” Hoyt said, “and posted an 18-12 record with a playoff run that ended with a defeat against Edison High School of Fresno.”
Football
Arguably the granddaddy of the fall sports — football — saw the Pirates have a so-so season record wise as a team, but individually, the Pirates had several outstanding players, particularly on offense, as once again they lit up the night sky with an aerial attack the likes of which local fans have not often seen.
Competing in the Ocean League, Morro Bay finished well down in the standings, as the championship went to Templeton, and its coach, Don Crow was also honored as the top man with a whistle. MVP of the league went to THS’ Tyler Cunningham and Offensive Player of the Year went to Nipomo’s Nick Evans. Defensive Player of the Year was Troy Simmons, also of Nipomo. And the All Purpose POY was Colby Sims.
First Team All League saw a trio of Morro Bay Pirates honored as QB Sands Dougherty and his two top receivers — Anthony Campanario and Efrain Hernandez — made the First Team All League.
Defensive lineman, Radden Batalla also made First Team All League. All four are seniors.
Offensive lineman, Colton Rosenlieb, a senior; Cannon Rosenlieb, a sophomore; and senior running back, Luca Macari, each made the Offensive Second Team.
Honorable Mention honors went to WR, Trevor Riddiough a junior; and linebacker Merrick Smith, who is also a junior.
The Pirates qualified for the section playoffs and won a first round game before falling in the semifinals to an undefeated team from Madera.
“Our football program had a strong finish to their season,” Hoyt said, “with an opening round playoff win over Delano before falling short in a rainy game against Liberty High School in Madera.”
The Pirates have had a pretty good run the past several seasons riding high on the air attack led by Dougherty and those talented receivers. But next year will be a true test.
“With nine seniors,” Hoyt said, “the Pirates will look to reload for the ‘26-’27 school year.” Head Coach, Robert Dougherty and his staff will try to continue what has been a pretty incredible string of seasons, playing deep into the playoffs the past three years and even once vying for a state championship.
