BOYS VOLLEYBALL: League titles to be decided in final week of season
Here's Scott Galetti's update on the Pasadena Star-News area boys volleyball teams.
Lancers peaking at right time
La Salle High School (19-8, 5-1) heads into the final week of the season on a roll. The Lancers, ranked No. 9 in the CIF-Southern Section Division V poll, followed up a four-game win over Bosco Tech by defeating Bishop Amat in four games last week. Mike Carlson recorded 11 kills, seven blocks and six aces, Joe Evanilla notched 11 kills and Mike Fey put down 10 kills and added four blocks to lead the Lancers. La Salle will host No. 2 Bishop Montgomery Tuesday with a share of the league title on the line.
Above
La Salle in action against San Marino earlier this season.
Title there for Tigers' taking
South Pasadena (15-3, 6-0), ranked No. 8 in Division IV, swept Gabrielino and La Canada last week and enters the final week of the season one win away from clinching the Rio Hondo League title. The Tigers also got some well-needed tournament experience by reaching the championship finals of the 16-team Crescenta Valley tournament Saturday where they lost to Brentwood in two games (25-23, 25-13). Brentwood's Tito Rothstein was the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Kevin Kuramoto and Mark Stochl both made the all-tournament team. The Tigers upset Paraclete (No. 4 in Division III) in three games, 27-25,19-25, 16-14 in the semifinals. South Pasadena was trailing 14-12 before scoring the final three points to win. In the quarterfinals, the Tigers beat Los Altos, the No. 5 team in Division III, 25-22, 10-25, 15-12. They needed to defeat Oak Park, the No. 7 team in Division IV, just to advance out of pool play. South Pasadena can clinch the Rio Hondo League title on Tuesday with a home match against San Marino. Tigers coach Todd Terzian is pulling out all stops by inviting KIIS-FM's DJ Shy to play music throughout the contest. A win would be music to both team's ears.
Above
South Pasadena in action.
San Marino puts on solid showing at Crescenta Valley
San Marino (12-6, 5-2) won the silver division of the Crescenta Valley tournament. The Titans close out the season at South Pasadena on Tuesday.
Above
San Marino against La Salle earlier this season.
Apaches have Pacific League title in sight
Arcadia (16-8) defeated Crescenta Valley in three games last week and enters the final week of the season tied with Claremont for first place in the Pacific League. The Apaches, ranked No. 7 in Division II, can clinch at least a share of the title with wins over Burroughs and Hoover this week. They took a game against defending champion Valencia in a three-game loss Friday during pool play at the Redondo Varsity Classic before losing in three games to Torrance in the quarterfinals of the Silver Division.
Above
Arcadia in recent action on the road against Burroughs.
Star-News top five
1. Arcadia (15-3)
Clear path to at least a share of Pacific League crown
2. San Gabriel (18-5)
Beat Montebello in four games before sweeping Alhambra in three to improve to 8-0 in Almont League play.
3. South Pasadena (15-3)
Huge effort at Crescenta Valley tournament
4. La Salle (19-8)
Making push for league title
5. San Marino (12-6)
Impressive at Crescenta Valley Tournament
CIF polls (As of April 31)
Division II: 1. Corona Del Mar, 2. Santa Barbara, 3. Valencia (Valencia), 4. Dos Pueblos, 5. Laguna Beach, 6. Oxnard, 7. Arcadia, 8. Claremont, 9. Crescenta Valley, 10. Saugus.
Division III: 1. Santa Monica, 2. Valley Christian (Cerritos), 3. San Gabriel, 4. Paraclete, 5. Los Altos, 6. Loara, 7. Quartz Hill, 8. Campbell Hall, 9. El Rancho, 10. Downey.
Division IV: 1. Oaks Christian, 2. Bishop Montgomery, 3. Mayfair, 4. La Quinta (Westminster), 5. Arrowhead Christian, 6. Santiago (Corona), 7. Oak Park, 8. South Pasadena, 9. La Salle, 10. Norco.
Division V: 1. Viewpoint, 2. Salesian, 3. Brethren Christian, 4. Sage Hill, 5. Oakwood, 6. Chadwick, 7. Laguna Blanca, 8. Flintridge Prep, 9. Glendale Academy, 10. Tarbut V' Torah.
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
South Pasadena defeated Gabrielino in four games to win its fourth Rio Hondo League title since 2000.
San Marino in 4. Tied 1 game all until Senior Setter and Team Captain Kevin Kuramoto for SP had to go to emergency room to get 7 stitches on a freak accident while blocking. SP must beat Gabrielino on Thursday at 4pm to win the RHL outright. If SP loses, then 3 way tie for first and then a coin flip to decide who gets CIF 1 2 or 3 spot.
who won the sp/sm game?
I hope La Salle can make a run in the playoffs. I know there are at least three people at our school that know we actually play, but we are very excited to represent the wonderful sport of volleyball.
Sincerely,
dorky volleyball player
I want you to know I am very excited that we're finally getting recognized as a real athlete. In the past, its ONLY football, basketball and baseball players who get the respect as true athletes and thanks to you, we now are beginning to get the respect we deserve.
Sincerely,
unathletic volleyball player
this is riveting chat. I can't tell you how many people are excited about being able to chat about volleyball. I know, for myself, that there is at least one other person in the city of Arcadia who has viewed this blog..so, things are looking up. When is George Lukas coming out with another Star Wars? Is Star Trek going on a final voyage? Live long and prosper.
Todd Terzian,
Congrats on getting to the finals of the tourney. La Salle played Brentwood last week, and their big hitter, (Tito) is easily the best that the Lancers have faced this year. He can really fly from the back row, wind up, and crush the ball. Also glad to hear that San Marino did well over the weekend.
The Lancers have a big game on Tues. also, but I might swing by So Pas before and catch some of your game. When we played the Tigers this year I enjoyed saying hello to my old basketball coach from Pasadena HS, Coach Terzian.
Same on the baseball page
Fred,
You have got to help us on the softball page please. There is someone terrorizing the page with serious hate talk.
Thanks again Scott for the well rounded coverage of Star News area boys volleyball. The top local teams are hot right now. San Marino played lights out in the CV Tourney Silver Division on Sat. They didnt even drop a game and it wasnt an easy road. Their really playing well. South Pas played our best volleyball of the season and since the 2005 CIF Finals run at the CV Tourney on Fri and Sat. It would be tough for anyone in Div 4 and that includes Oaks Christian to defeat Oak Park, Los Altos and then Paraclete in succession. We were pretty much out on our feet by the Finals against Brentwood. We gave game one everything and actually had a swing to tie it at 24 all in game one, but Tournamment MVP Tito Rothstein dug our outside hitter and then hit a rocket out of the backrow to take the game 25-23. Rothstein is the best individual player that we've faced this season. He can do it all from finesse to power. He's also got a high volleyball IQ, as far as feel for the game. The San Marino at South Pas game on Tuesday at South Pas at 4 pm should be one of the best all local team matches of the '07 season. The rivalry dates back 25+ years in boys volleyball, the Rio Hondo League Championship is on the line and celebrity dj "DJ Shy" from KISS FM (http://www.myspace.com/djshy) will be spinning her turntables for the pre-game, during timeouts and post-game. We're going to pull out most of the stands for this one, as we're expecting a great turnout from both San Marino and South Pas fans.
If it weren't for the fact its in the toughest Division (Division II), Arcadia would have a good shot at a long run. They still could make some noise in the postseason.
San Gabriel could go far in Division III, but a title could be tough. Then San Gabriel does know what it takes to make a long run, having reached the title match in 2003.
South Pasadena could be a dangerous team come playoff time. The Tigers reached the Division IV championship match in 2005. And Pasadena Poly was runner-up in 2004 and 2005 and could make a run.
La Salle could be a surprise team as well.
Does anyone know what area team has the best shot at making a run in the playoffs?
no steve - only you shave your legs.
GO TIGERS!!!
Arcadia's Kyle Matyas is headed to UCLA next season. UCLA is the defending national champion.
Do most volleyball players shave their legs? Just curious.
Steve
Hi, I was wondering maybe if you could name some of the top players in the area and if they might be going to play at the collegiate level.