Contests of the day: May 21
May 21st, 2008, 7:45 am · Post a Comment · posted by ADAM MAYA, OCREGISTER.COM since 2006
CIF-SS BOYS TENNIS SEMIFINALS
Today’s matches
DIVISION I
Santa Barbara (16-1) vs. Mater Dei (23-1)
Los Caballeros Tennis Center, Fountain Valley, 3 p.m.
Outlook: The No. 3 seed Monarchs received a break when Santa Barbara could not play host to the match because of a schedule conflict Tuesday. The Dons not only agreed to play today but also travel. Santa Barbara arguably has the most rowdy fans in high school tennis, and the long drive will not discourage its fans from traveling. No. 2 seed Santa Barbara is well-balanced and will be led by No. 1 singles player Daniel Nguyen and No. 1 doubles team Andrew Grant and Billy Grokenberger, though they could be split into singles. Mater Dei is coming off a 10-8 victory over Dana Hills, a match the Monarchs almost let slip away in the second round after an impressive start. It is Mater Dei’s first appearance in the semifinals, but Coach Marian Danse will look for Chris Freeman and Charlie Alvarado to take charge as leaders who have played in pressure matches, notably The Ojai CIF doubles finals that they won. Ryan Agbayani and Rickey Baylon swept at No. 1 doubles for the Monarchs in the quarterfinals.
University (22-0) vs. Peninsula of Rolling Hills Estates (18-3)
Peninsula High, 3 p.m.
Outlook: The top-seeded Trojans have firepower at every position, led by Penn-bound Jason Lin at No. 1 singles. John Huang and Matt Siow at singles give University a formidable lineup. This match could come down to matchups, and much will depend on where the top players end up playing: singles or doubles. Does University coach John Kessler pair up Huang and Kevin Masaki in doubles like he did in the CIF Individuals Tournament? Does Siow play at No. 3 singles or pair with Michael Tang in doubles? Kessler was puzzled that the Trojans had to travel to fourth-seed Peninsula, considered to be one of the toughest facilities to play because of its tight setup that allows a limited view. The Trojans doubles teams will be asked to step up against Peninsula’s impressive depth. Tyler Bowman and Jonathan Kazarian teamed at Ojai and surged their way into the finals. Nicholas Ridout should play singles for Peninsula, and though Bowman and Kazarian make a superb doubles team, there’s a possibility Bowman could break into singles.
MIGUEL A. MELENDEZ/The Register
CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
TODAY’S MATCHES
DIVISION I SEMIFINALS
Santa Margarita (5-32) vs. Newport Harbor (30-3)
Newport Harbor High, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Top-seeded Newport Harbor has not lost a match since mid-March and has not lost a best-of-5 match all season. The Sailors are led by four Division I-bound players, including 6-8 setter Kyle Caldwell (UCLA). No. 4 seed Santa Margarita also has not been beaten since March, but had to forfeit all but two of its victories in the regular season because of an ineligible player who has since been cleared. The Eagles are led by middle blocker Steve Shandrick (USC). Newport Harbor beat Santa Margarita in the first round last year.
DIVISION II SEMIFINALS
Corona del Mar (Pacific Coast 1, 26-6) vs. Santa Barbara (Channel 1, 28-4)
Santa Barbara High, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The No. 3 seed Sea Kings held their own against a Division I-stacked preseason schedule, won the O.C. Championships and breezed through league play. They are led by middle blocker Gus Ellis (Stanford), and outside hitters Jeff Carlson (USC) and Dillon Flinn (Cal). The No. 2 seed Dons have swept all three of their playoff matches and won two tournaments during the regular season. They are led by UC Irvine-bound outside hitters Will Montgomery and Craig McGowan. Corona del Mar beat Santa Barbara in the division final last year.
DIVISION III SEMIFINALS
Loara (Empire 1, 17-2) vs. Valley Christian of Cerritos (Olympic 1, 19-6)
Valley Christian High, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The No. 8-ranked Saxons beat top-seeded Santa Monica and won on the road against Warren last week. Their two defeats came to Empire League foe Cypress and Division I JSerra. Loara is led by setter Bryan Do and outside hitter Derek Rhyne. The fifth-ranked Crusaders have lost one game in the playoffs and swept No. 4 seed Highland on the road last week. Loara lost to Valley Christian in the quarterfinals last year.
DIVISION V SEMIFINALS
Brethren Christian (Academy 2, 15-4) vs. Salesian (Santa Fe, 23-0)
Brethren Christian High, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The fifth-ranked Warriors are coming off a five-game victory on the road against No. 4 seed Laguna Blanca. They swept their two home playoff matches before that and are led by outside hitter Ben Hammond. The No. 1 seed Mustangs had a first-round bye before winning twice at home. They have lost one game in the playoffs.
ADAM MAYA/The Register
