Alumni Page

LAKEWOOD ALUMNI PLAYING AND COACHING IN COLLEGE

Terri Del Conte Class of 2004 (Missouri State)

Terri played one season at Lakewood after transferring from California High School in Whittier, California. During her stay at Lakewood she garnered 2nd team All-League honors as an Outside Hitter. While at Lakewood she was a part of the team that upset Long Beach Wilson who was at the time ranked #1 in CIF. After graduation from Lakewood she played one season at Long Beach City College and one season at Cerritos College. After Cerritos College she transferred to Missouri State University where she is a Senior getting much playing time at Libero..

Cassi Chamberlain Class of 2005 (Pepperdine)

Cassi was a 4 year Varsity starter for the Lancers. Although her first 3 years did not have much success as a team did not deter the ever confident Chamberlain. During her senior year she led her team to the CIF I-AA Semi-Finals losing to eventual champion Los Alamitos. For her achievements she as chosen as Lakewood Co-Athlete of the Year, 1st Team All-League, 1st Team All-CIF, Fab 50 and Mizuno All-American. Cassi was also a member of the USA Youth National A2 team that trained in Colorado Spring, Colorado.

When she graduated from Lakewood she took her talents to Malibu to suit up for the Pepperdine Waves where she was a freshman starter on full scholarship. Cassi's freshman campaign saw her help the team to an upset of Top 25 ranked USC and BYU during the NCAA playoffs and a 16th finish in the final Coaches Poll. Cassi’s Sophomore year consisted of her retaining her starting role as a Middle Hitter and eventually losing in the First-Round of the NCAA playoffs to Long Beach State. As a Junior Cassi once again asserted her role as a starting Middle Blocker have a WCC-Honorable Mention campaign. Cassi is now a senior for the 16th ranked Waves embarking on her last season of college volleyball.

Melody Nua Class of 2005 (UNLV)

Melody graduated from Lakewood as one of the most decorated Setters from the school. Her final season at Lakewood saw Melody garner 1st Team All-CIF, 1st Team All-League and 1st Team Press-Telegram Dream Team. She was a classmate of Cassi Chamberlain that helped lead the team to the CIF SS I-AA Semi-Finals for the first time in over 23 years. Melody has since taken her talented skill on to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she too was a starter as a Freshman and Sophomore. Melody’s junior year saw her make all-conference at UNLV and currently sitting 3rd all-time on the Rebels’ Assists list. She will sure break many records before the season is over.

Lauren Lupinetti Class of 2005 (CSUF)

Lauren was a three-year varsity starter who played on the outside and in the middle. During her career at Lakewood she was a two-time All-League selection and a 2nd team Press-Telegram Dream Team her Senior year. Lauren is currently at California State University Fullerton on a Softball scholarship.

Melissa Velasco Class of 2007 (CSU Dominguez Hills)

Melissa was a three-year varsity starter at Lakewood as a Defensive Specialist. During Melissa’s tenure at Lakewood she has gone from the bottom to the top. She was in the program when Lakewood was a perennial league doormat continually competing for 4th or 5th place. Her three year stint on the varsity saw her go 72-27 and two CIF Semi-Final appearances. Melissa has since gone on to California State University Dominguez Hills where she is a sophomore starting as Libero.

Megan Johnson Class of 2008 (University of Wyoming)

Megan leaves Lakewood as the most decorated Setter in school history. Not only was she the Press-Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year she was a three time All-League selection and the Champions of Character Award winner. Megan’s 1,452 assists during her senior campaign lists as the all-time assists for season and for a career at Lakewood. She reached the CIF semi-finals three times and was the catalyst for the offense on the 2007 State Championship team.

Kirstie Bender Class of 2008 (University of Redlands)

Kirstie was a three year varsity member and a two year starter. Although Kirstie did not get the accolades that her other players received she was a huge reason why Lakewood was so successful the last two seasons. An exceptional athlete, Kirstie was also a starter on the softball team and continues to play at the college ranks. Kirstie’s hard work and determination made her a player to be reckoned with. Her athletic speed and footwork made other middle’s baffled at her size on the court.

Justin Wegnes Class of 2001

Justin was a two-time All-CIF player at Lakewood. His setting abilities also led him to two All-League selections and a couple of team awards and a playoff appearance all three years on the Varsity. His Junior year Justin led Lakewood to a CIF Div I Quarter-Final appearance against Santa Monica. After his high school days Justin started at LBCC where he helped lead LBCC to its first State Title in over 15 years.

Naseri Tumanuvao Class of 2004

Naseri is apart of the 2006 Long Beach City College Mens Volleyball State Champions. He was the starting Outside Hitter who was the State Championship MVP. In 2007 Naseri was the California State MVP taking his team to the State Finals once again. Naseri has since moved on to Long Beach State where he will join former classmate Dean Bittner at "The Beach."

At Lakewood he was a 2 year Varsity Starter and was an All-CIF Selection. He was also an All-American selection for The LBC Volleyball Club at the Junior Olympics his Junior year. Naseri was also selected to the Press-Telegram Dream Team 1st Team and Moore League 1st Team as a Senior. As a Senior he drew interests from Long Beach State and BYU.

Dean Bittner Class of 2005

Dean was the starting Outside Hitter for the Lancers for 3 years. Two of those years Dean was selected to the All-CIF team, 1st Team Moore League and the Press-Telegram Dream Team. His senior year he was also selected to the Volleyball Monthly Fab 50 for the top fifty volleyball players in the nation and to the 2nd Team Mizuno All-American and designated as Co-MVP of the Moore League.

Dean was apart of the Riptides Volleyball Club that won the 17 Open Gold Medal at the Junior Olympics in Texas and the 18 Open Gold Medal at the Junior Olympics at Louisville last summer.

Dean is currently on the Long Beach State roster as a Redshirt Freshman and looks to play this season for the 49er's.

During his junior and senior year he was one of the most recruited players in the nation. He was courted by Long Beach State, BYU, Pepperdine, Hawaii, USC and UCSB to name a few. He eventually selected Long Beach State and was united with Assistant Coach Andy Read when he was chosen as a Middle Blocker for the United States Youth National Team his last two years of High School. At that time they won the Gold Medal in Mexico City, Mexico during the NORCECA Tournament that qualified the US for the World Championships for the first time in US history.

Randy Totorp Class of 1993

Randy Totorp the player was apart of many firsts as his high school career concluded. He was the first League MVP and was on the first team to win a League title his senior year. After he played 2 years at Long Beach City College he transferred to San Diego State to continue his playing career at the Division I level another first for Lakewood.

Randy Totorp the coach is currently the Head Mens Volleyball Coach at Long Beach City College where he has led them to 2 State Titles in the last 3 years with this year going a perfect 18-0 record becoming only the second team in State history to achieve such greatness. Before LBCC he was the head coach at Bellflower St. John Bosco where he led them to the CIF Finals and Quarter-Finals his last two seasons there.

Randy the Club Director is now in charge of the successful Highline Volleyball Club where he commands 10 teams with his club.

Lee Maes Class of 1988

Lee Maes was one of the first Boys Volleyball players in Lakewood High School history. After his graduation he coached the Girls Varsity from 1989-1997 producing numerous players into the College ranks. After his tenure at Lakewood, Lee then went on to be the Head Coach of the Men's Club team at Cal and Assist with the Women's program. When his time was finished at Cal, Maes then went on to the University of Nebraska where he helped lead the Huskers to the Women's Volleyball Div. I National Championship in 2006.

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh