Sand volleyball has become not only an Olympic sport but has gained popularity at the high school level, and Point Loma High Pointers are among the county’s most successful girls teams.
The Pointers, whose home court is at Ocean Beach, just completed their third season, posting a 9-2 record that took them all the way to the championship match, where they were defeated by Torrey Pines High.
The Pointers finished in first place in the Western Power League of the San Diego High School Sand Volleyball Association. On their way to the final match, the No. 2 seeded Pointers eliminated University City and La Jolla. 
Much like doubles tennis, sand volleyball matches involve competitions between two-person teams. Going into the title match against Torrey Pines, Pointer teammates Ali Mathews and Sarah Szostak had not lost all season.
At present, sand volleyball is a club sport and not governed by the local San Diego CIF. If growth continues, this may change.
More than 30 girls took part in this year’s PLHS program, with three of them earning college scholarships to continue their careers. Madilyn Yeomans will play at UCLA, Charlie Ekstrom will attend Loyola Marymount University and Szostak will go to Spring Hill College.
Davis Ransom, who coaches PLHS’ girls volleyball team, is also head coach of the sand volleyball program. He is assisted by Paul Araiza and PLHS alum Jordan Checkal.