Published September 3, 2024
BY ALEXANDER FREDERICK
Carmel High School’s girls’ volleyball program has a new head coach this year in Butch Mandon, a former club coach and collegiate athlete, to lead the team in the wake of an impressive season. Mandon, who has a background in coaching and playing volleyball, is tasked with building on last year’s standout performance.
Carmel High School hires former Division-I volleyball player Butch Mandon as the CHS girls’ coach. (courtesy of BUTCH MANDON)
Mandon played at the community college level before transferring to California State University, Northridge, where he continued his volleyball career. He currently teaches English at Salinas High School, where he previously coached the volleyball team for nine years.
Mandon also has experience coaching at the club level in Southern California and locally with the Salinas Valley Volleyball Club.
“I love coaching because you have the opportunity to teach these players life lessons about what it means to be on a team,” Mandon says.
Following a successful 22-6 season last year, the team has set high goals for the upcoming season, according to Mandon.
“Their goal is to win the league and go to CCS,” Mandon said. “My job is to help them reach those goals.”
The team will be senior-heavy this year, with standout players Charlee Riddle, Cindy Moreau and Riley Imamura expected to take on strong leadership roles.
“We’ve got a good group of girls, and I think we could reach their goals for the season,” Mandon said.
When he isn’t teaching or coaching, Mandon enjoys playing beach volleyball at Carmel Beach on weekends or spending time with his three older kids who he coached growing up at the club level.
The girls have already played games against Santa Cruz and Branham. Their first league game is Sept. 12 against Pacific Grove at home.
