With the CIF’s winter season sports beginning the stretch drive with playoffs in basketball, soccer, girls water polo and wrestling opening this week, the spring sports are pushing for some of the limelight.

Here’s a list of area teams included in the preseason polls for baseball, softball and boys volleyball:

In baseball, Division III, defending Suburban League champion La Mirada is No. 3 and California is No. 6.
In Division V, defending champ Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary is No. 3 and St. Paul is No. 5.

In Softball, perennial Del Rio League contenders California and La Serna are ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, while in Division IV, St. Paul is No. 10.
Cantwell is No. 6 in Division VI.

Only one local program cracked a Top 10 ranking in boys volleyball, with La Serna at No. 6 in Division III, and Montebello among others receiving votes in the division.

Any idea which teams would comprise the Daily News area’s top five in baseball and softball?
And why? (Briefly, please, briefly.)