There were some very interesting results byu the local college teams on Saturday.

First, San Bernardino Valley College defeated Mt. San Jacinto 28-17. That’s three in a row for the Wolverines and it is that much more noteworthy given that SBVC had lost 19 in a row before that mini streak.

Kevin Emerson didn’t get hired until August so for him to win three games is impressive. These looked to be the most winnable three games on the schedule, even before the season started. Now come the more difficult games as SBVC is left with Southwestern on the road, Golden West on the road and L.A. Harbor at home. If it can just win just one of those, this would be a hugely successful season because of how far the program has come.

Second, Chaffey lost to Citrus (again) 20-17. Last year the Panthers had a bye week, then laid an egg when they came back against the Owls. Looked like this was a repeat of last year. While it is not surprising Chaffey hasn’t been able to go toe-to-toe with the biggies such as El Camino and Mt. SAC, the losses to Citrus are puzzling.

On the four-year front the game of the day was Occidental surviving 14-13 over La Verne. That’s a nationally ranked and defending conference champion that barely hung on to beat an 0-6 team. This Oxy team is not nearly as good as the ones the Tigers have had in the past, that is pretty obvious. (They also barely beat 2-4 Chapman the previous week).

Give the Leopards credit. It would be easy for them to come into this game a little down and overwhelmed but they gave the Tigers a battle. Andy Ankeny is a class individual and I hope for good things for his team.

Redlands trounced Claremont-Scripps 53-27. The Bulldogs got 36 points in the second, 29 of those from CMS turnovers. The Stags were up 17-3, but then . . .

Pomona-Pitzer picked up its fourth win, beating Whittier 15-7. Not a great game just by glancing at the boxscore but the Sagehens prevail.

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All the local college teams will be in action on Saturday. Here’s a look at the matchups . . .

Redlands at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 1 p.m. The Bulldogs have to win to keep what ever playoff hopes they have alive.They have Dan Selway at quarterback and that alone is enough reason to pick the Bulldogs, Redlands alsohas the No. 1 rushing defense in the country which might counter the Stags strong point which is runnning the football. CMS won’t win a shootout so it must control the ball. CMS has proven a tough foe but I have to go with Redlands on this one.

La Verne at Occidental, 3 p.m.
The Leopards are still looking for their first win. Maybe they pull the upset if Oxy is looking past them to Cal Lutheran. No, probably not. It’s too bad for the Leopards and Andy Ankeny who is a good coach and stand-up guy!

Pomona-Pitzer at Whittier, 3 p.m.
The Sagehens might be the most improved team in the conference. Whittier is coming off a pummeling at the hands of Redlands. Pitzer would seem to be the choice here, if for no other reason that Jacob Caron is at quarterback. But Whittier beat Chapman, a team to whom the Sagehens lost, albeit on a fluke play. Still going with the Sagehens though.

In the JC ranks . . .

Mt. San Jacinto at San Bernardino Valley, 6 p.m.The Wolverines are going for their third in a row. Technically they’re still in the mix to win the conference, although the reality is they haven’t faced the two top teams yet. MSJ has just one win but most coaches say they are better than their record. I’ll go with SBVC in a close one.

Citrus at Chaffey, 6 p.m.

This should be a grudge match as Citrus had a horrendous season in 2008 but beat the Panthers in a huge upset. Coach Carl Beach hasn’t forgotten that one. Chaffey has lost three straight, all to top 10 teams. it should get well and get revenge at the same time.

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The Cal Poly Pomona volleyball team was going to be hard-pressed to repeat its showing of last season when it went all the way to the West Region final before losing to heavily favored Cal State San Bernardino.

The Broncos started this season with just three players who saw considerable action a year ago and the conference is just too tough to throw rookies into the mix and ask them to deliver.

For Rosie Wegrich it has been more about seeing how far her team can come in a few months. The answer is “a very long way.”

Wednesday’s match against the Coyotes was evidence. The first time the teams played the Broncos scored just 45 points in a 3-0 sweep. This time around they also lost 3-0 but they had game points in both the second and third sets. They did so in the second despite being down at one point 19-8. That says a lot.

The Broncos, now 8-13 overall, will have virtually everyone back next year. They just need to find a setter to replace the athletically gifted Jasmine Davis. Among those to look for in the future are sophomore rightside Kristin McNeese, freshman middle Taylr Kreutziger, junior outside hitter Courtney Alberi and junior middle-rightside Kellie Hill.

If they keep progressing at that rate there is no reason the Broncos can’t be right back up there in the upper tier with the Coyotes, UC San Diego, Cal State LA, Chico State and Sonoma.

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