August 2009 Archives

PHOTO BY BRAD GRAVERSON: Ashleigh Gideon, shown here in a file photo, helped El Camino sweep Fullerton in the season opener for both teams.

Two-time defending state champion El Camino College shook off some early-season jitters and rallied for a 25-19, 26-24, 27-25 nonconference women's volleyball victory Friday at Fullerton in a season opener between two top programs.

El Camino faced deficits in each game before showing the same fighting spirit that characterized its run to consecutive state titles out of the loser's bracket.

El Camino even fought off four game-points against Fullerton, which finished the season ranked No. 5 last season.

"Both teams were pretty nervous," El Camino coach Le Valley Pattison said. "We looked a little shaky in the beginning, but we steadied out. It was definitely a case of first-match nerves.

"But it was fun to fun to see the girls turn it around and win after they put themselves in big holes."

Sarah Prather (Bishop Montgomery) led El Camino with 10 kills and 13 digs, and Ashleigh Gideon (North Torrance) finished strong and totaled 10 kills and 11 digs.

Kiley Tamblyn (South Torrance) led a strong passing game with 27 digs. Deja Dickerson (St. Monica) contributed seven kills and two blocks, and Donella DiDomenico (Bishop Montgomery) was strong in her setting debut with 12 digs and 32 assists.

"We were down six or seven points each game. That was a little weird," Pattison said.  "I think we were a little tentative with our hitting. Then Sarah Prather turned it up a bit, and that allowed Ashleigh to get more into a groove and feel comfortable.

"It was a matter of adjusting to new teammates and some timing issues. The more they play together, the better they're going to be."

Harbor College showcased its balance in a 4-1 nonconference men's soccer victory over visiting L.A. Mission on Friday in the season opener for both teams.

Eric Medina (Narbonne) had a goal and two assists for Harbor. Guillermo Beltran (Banning), Jose Casillas (Narobnne) and Felipe Ortiz (Venice) also scored goals.

Goalkeeper Gregg Williams (Culver City) had six saves, including two breakaways.

Harbor used 23 different players, mixing and mashing different combinations together. Its conditioning essentially ran Mission off the field.

PHOTO BY STEVE MCCRANK: Gardena QB Keshaun Malone (No. 11) sustained an ankle injury at Wednesday's practice that could force him out of the opener Sept. 4, leaving Coach Ed Lalau scrambling.

Uh oh, the football season is still over a week away, and Gardena could already be in trouble.

Quarterback Keshaun Malone, expected to be the leader of new coach Ed Lalau's rebuilding project at Gardena, sustained a left ankle injury at practice Wednesday that has the Panthers holding their breath.

"He can't even stand on it," Lalau said.

Lalau has said that Malone, also a standout linebacker, will almost certainly miss Gardena's season opener at Charter Oak on Sept. 4.

With backup quarterback Dezden Petty already banged up with a knee injury, Lalau said he will likely turn to receiver Emanuel Oseguera to take over at quarterback.

"We decided to put our most athletic person back there," Lalau said.

Malone was the undisputed leader for Gardena last season, the bright spot of a 2-8 season. He threw for 905 yards and 7 TDs with 6 INTs last season while adding a team-leading 392 rushing yards and seven more touchdowns.

The extent of Malone's injury is unknown, and he is expected to make a trip to the doctor soon.

Yet the sight of a hobbled Malone was a blow for Gardena.

"We were kind of building this team around him," Lalau said. "For him to go down, it's like, 'Oh man.' We've got a couple other quarterbacks, but they have totally different styles. We're scrambling right now, a week before the season.

"I guess when it rains, it pours."