One of the strengths of Mater Dei’s boys water polo program in recent seasons has been its focus.
The ability to focus helped the Monarchs win a state-record 105 consecutive games and five consecutive CIF titles.
True to form, Mater Dei’s focus quickly returned Saturday after claiming the South Coast Tournament for a fifth consecutive season.
The Monarchs (10-1) remain in pursuit of Harvard-Westlake of Studio City, which dethroned Mater Dei in the Division 1 finals last season.
Harvard-Westlake, ranked first in Division 1, defeated second-ranked Mater Dei in the finals of the Santa Barbara Invitational earlier this season and plays host to the Monarchs on Oct. 14 at 5 p.m.
“We know Harvard-Westlake is at No. 1,” Mater Dei coach Chris Segesman said after the Monarchs defeated Loyola of Angeles, 15-10, in the finals of the South Coast Tournament.
“We’re exciting about playing (them) coming up and going to war with them when we have our opportunities.”
Mater Dei beat Harvard-Westlake three times last season before falling in the finals.
“We know them well,” Mater Dei senior Nick Silvers said. “It just comes down to us and how we play our game and who can step up.” …
The top games and events on the schedule this week:
• Corona del Mar plays host to Newport Harbor on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the teams’ annual “Battle of the Bay” game.
• The Villa Park Classic runs Thursday through Saturday and features several top teams, including No. 10 San Clemente and defending champion Santa Margarita.
• El Toro plays host to No. 7 Dana Hills today in a South Coast League match at 4:15 p.m.
– DAN ALBANO
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
One of the more interesting league races in Orange County gets started this week with play in the Sunset League.
The race for the league title appears to be wide open.
Here is this week’s schedule: Newport Harbor at Los Alamitos, Wednesday; Huntington Beach at Edison, Thursday; Fountain Valley at Marina, Thursday. …
Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor will be headed late in the week to Chicago to take part in the Mother McAuley Tournament. Play begins Friday.
– DAMIAN CALHOUN
CROSS COUNTRY
Edison’s Julia Sienski and Cooper Kossick, and Sunny Hills’ Kendra Corey were among the county standouts Saturday at the Sunny Hills/Wayne Walker Invitational at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton.
Kossick had the second fastest overall time (15 minutes, 17 seconds) of the meet as he finished second in the senior race.
On the girls side, Sienski (18:18) won the senior race and had the second fastest overall time.
The best time of the meet was turned in by Corey, who won the sophomore race with a time of 18:01.
Woodbridge (93 points) won the combined team title battle. St. John Bosco (124), Edison (136), Corona del Mar (159) and Whittier (161) rounded out the top top five. …
Dana Hills’ boys team overcame the absence of standout senior Jake Ogden to win the Senior Invitational title at the Dana Hills Nike Invitational on Saturday.
Junior Mason Coppi, spurred on by a cheering crowd, led the Dolphins to the team title as he finished first with a time of 14:33.
Ogden has been unable to compete recently because of a strained muscle in his right rib cage.
Ogden reportedly is aiming for a return to competition when the Dolphins, the defending CIF-SS Division 1 champions, take part in the South Coast League cluster on Oct. 8. …
On the girls side of the Dana Hills Invitational, Tesoro junior Amanda Gehrich held off a late challenge from a group that included Capistrano Valley’s Rebecca Deitch and Titans teammate Briar Brumley to win the Senior Invitational title.
Gehrich has victories in back-to-back weeks. She won the Mt. Carmel Invitational in San Diego on Sept. 20.
Gehrich crossed the finish line Saturday with a time of 17:08. Deitch finished second (17:10.10) and Brumley was fourth (17:11).
Capistrano Valley (89 points) finished in second place in the combined team scoring, while Dana Hills (228) was fifth and Tesoro (267) placed seventh.
Segerstrom’s Stephanie Ortega won the junior race (17:41).
