Three Redondo Union Volleyball Players Are Making History with Their Journey to MIT

Three Redondo Union Volleyball Stars Set to Attend MIT This Fall

In a remarkable feat, three standout players from the Redondo Union High School volleyball team—Tommy Spalding, Vaughan Flaherty, and Carter Mirabal—have all been accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Sea Hawks’ stellar 13-2 record this past season now includes this unprecedented academic achievement.

The trio’s journey culminated in their Advanced Placement Physics 2 class, where they delved into the astronomical odds of three close friends from the same volleyball team gaining entry into such a prestigious institution. Mirabal’s father expressed shock upon hearing the news, stating, “There’s no way.” Coach Kevin Norman echoed the disbelief, remarking, “It’s crazy.”

With aspirations that could lead to groundbreaking innovations, Spalding, Flaherty, and Mirabal embody the entrepreneurial spirit reminiscent of tech pioneers. Spalding shared his penchant for brainstorming ideas, revealing, “Probably twice a week, I’ll call him, ‘Yo, I have this idea.’” He illustrated this creativity with a vision for a new traffic navigation app that could streamline driving through artificial intelligence.

The students have also formed a band named “Ratiohead,” a playful take on the iconic group Radiohead, featuring math-inspired lyrics. As they prepare for a battle of the bands, they showcase diverse talents with Spalding as the vocalist, Mirabal on keyboards, and Flaherty wielding the guitar.

Academically, they have excelled: Spalding boasts a GPA of 4.65 with a 1490 SAT score; Flaherty holds a 4.4 GPA and a 1560 SAT; and Mirabal mirrors Flaherty’s GPA, achieving a 1510 on the SAT. Reflecting on their academic journeys, Flaherty remarked, “I think it goes to show you that you don’t have to be perfect to get into these schools if you have the potential and you’re willing to work hard.”

Their acceptance journeys were each unique. Mirabal recalled the moment he opened his acceptance email while playing volleyball in his backyard, surrounded by teammates. Spalding received congratulations from the MIT volleyball coach via text just as he was about to share his news with his family. Flaherty had a more suspenseful wait, checking his phone during a traffic jam after a trip to Joshua Tree, and was met with confetti on his acceptance notification.

As they prepare for their new chapters at MIT, where they will play Division III volleyball, the friends maintain ties to their Southern California roots. Mirabal and Spalding will be roommates, while Flaherty, opting for separate accommodations, joked, “He said he’d be too comfortable with us and be a bad roommate.”

While they embrace the exciting prospect of attending MIT, the trio acknowledges the difficulty of leaving California’s beach life. As Spalding put it, “It is a sacrifice,” and Mirabal added, “As much as we study, I feel at the end of the day we want to have fun.”

With open minds and a passion for discovering new ideas, these three volleyball players look ahead to what adventures they might embark upon at MIT and beyond.