Raul Papaleo knows all about the storied tradition of the Laguna Beach High girls' volleyball program. The players, the league titles, the CIF Southern Section championships.
This year, he's adding his name to that tradition.
Papaleo is about to begin his initial year as head coach of the girls' program when on Sept. 3, the Breakers open their 2013 campaign on the road at JSerra. He took over the program reins last March, after Lance Stewart resigned as head coach in December.
"I'm very excited to be working with a great group of girls and a program with a great tradition," Papaleo said.
Laguna last year was the No. 4 seed in the CIF Southern Section Division 1A playoffs. The Breakers won their first two postseason matches before bowing out of title contention following a quarterfinal round loss to Capistrano Valley.
Laguna has reached the playoff quarterfinal round 37 times in the 41-year history of the girls' volleyball playoffs.