Sharks Gear Up for Citrus Coast Title with High-Level Preseason Training and Championship Focus
The Malibu High Sharks boys volleyball team didn’t ease into preseason training last month — they sharpened a championship mindset.
The squad’s practices end with a six-on-six scrimmage, and the competitions have been action-packed, with the volleyball rarely touching the gym court, explained Malibu senior outside hitter Keegan Cross, 18.
“How high level our six-on-sixes have been has me really excited,” he said. “It shows me I’m playing with the highest level this team has ever been. Carrying out long rallies during these six-on-sixes — people trying their hardest, putting in full effort — it’s really cool to see. There have been rallies that went on for a minute or two, which is pretty long in volleyball.”
Cross noted that it is a substantial improvement from a couple of seasons ago.
“The ball might be hit once and then it would land on the ground with no contest,” he said.
The Sharks are preparing for a 2026 campaign in which they aim to win the Citrus Coast League title for a third consecutive season and make a deep run in the CIF postseason.
Malibu head coach Derek Saenz said practices have been fun and competitive.
“The intent is there,” he added. “We have a purpose, and we are making sure it stays fun. We have team goals and individual goals — of course everyone wants to win CIF.”
The bunch began preparing for the season in the wake of the players practicing with and playing in national tournaments with various volleyball clubs.
Saenz, who has coached most of the Sharks in past volleyball club tournaments, noted how all of the players have won medals at either USA Volleyball or AAU national tournaments. The coach added that Cross, senior Alex Galan, sophomore Luca Calvo, and juniors Timur Podgore, Lucas Galan, Martin Kurial, and Madeus Lupo have all earned All-American nominations at those events.
Cross, who played club volleyball with Southern California Volleyball Club 18-1 Molten, said club volleyball helps the Sharks refine their skills for the high school season.
“Our practices started a little slow with everyone coming from club season, but after the first one or two practices, we all started playing together and realized this season is going to be super fun,” he said.
Podgore, 17, said the Sharks are all playing at their highest level after training with different clubs and coaches, which he said has helped refine their technique.
Malibu finished their 2025 campaign with a 23-9 overall record including a 10-0 mark in the Citrus Coast League. The squad entered the postseason with high hopes but was defeated by Notre Dame (SO) 3-1 in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division IV Boys Volleyball Championships.
Saenz said the playoff loss was a disappointment especially since the team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division VI playoffs in 2024, but he believes Malibu can be championship contenders in any CIF division.
“We are good enough,” Saenz said. “The main goal is to win a CIF championship wherever we are at.”
The coach also wants his team to celebrate their accomplishments such as the squad’s seniors — Cross, Galan, Julian Calvo, Taj Menteer, and Sebastian Longo — staying together as a team during the growing pains in previous seasons.
“The coolest thing is that they stuck with it,” said Saenz, who began coaching most of the group when they were eighth graders. “We’ve had seniors before, but they haven’t had the structure where it’s an entire class of kids that have committed.”
While Podgore said the Sharks play best when they are scrappy, Cross expects the Sharks’ offense to shine.
Saenz highlighted several players. He said Podgore’s work in the weight room has paid off, and Cross, Calvo, Galan, and Longo are playing well. Lupo is bounding higher than ever on the court, and Kurial is making a tremendous impact, Saenz said.
The Sharks begin their season with a Feb. 17 home matchup against Royal. Many Malibu players are excited about the matchup since they play on the same club volleyball teams as several Royal players, said Saenz.
“They have rivalries with their club teammates,” Saenz noted. “They want to beat them.”
Malibu plays at Palisades on Feb. 19 and then hosts Granada Hills Charter on March 3 — another important match for the team since Saenz is a Granada Hills alumnus and the Sharks lost the game last season.
“We didn’t play our best last year,” Cross said. “I think it is a game we should have won.”
Cross, an All-CIF player two seasons ago, said the Sharks are motivated because this will be their last season together as a group.
“I want to do the absolute most with this little time I have left,” he said. “I couldn’t care less about the individual accolades. I care more about what our team can accomplish. The ultimate goal is winning CIF.”