Schools
Coach-Daughter Duo Set to Lead Mar Vista Volleyball
Boys coach Joe Penolio takes on the coaching duties for the Mariners' girls team this fall with daughter Meghan a key part of the squad.
Joe Penolio, once a track standout at Montgomery High School, is making sure his children are gaining even greater success as volleyball players at Mar Vista High.
After coaching a pair of sons, Jacob (2006) and Zachery (2009), to player of the year laurels, Penolio will now mentor daughter Meghan in search of a 2011 South Bay League championship.
"If Meghan didn't hurt her back, we could've won league last season, but that happens in sports," said the coach, a former long-jumper and triple-jumper. "But with her at 100 percent, we hope to get past (defending league titlist) Castle Park."
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The outside hitter lacks major-college size, so she's already made a verbal commitment to instead play Division II volleyball at Missouri Western next fall.
"She's only 5-foot-9, but can reach 9-foot-6," added the father/coach. "She's quite a leaper."
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Also anchoring the front line will be a pair of newcomers to the Mariners varsity: junior outside hitters Alyssa Rose and Aryanna Arceneux. Rose has experience with the Tsunami and Bridge club volleyball teams.
Featured at middle blocker are 6-2 senior Damaris Walker and 5-9 junior Kelly Thompson.
Returning starters include senior setter Kalili Pasa, who is being challenged by senior Claudia Villavicencio, and junior libero Ashley Harbin.
For coach Penolio, it's his seventh season at Mar Vista. He served four seasons as boys assistant coach before taking over in the 2009 spring season. This fall will be his first guiding the Mariners girls team.
