North County Notes: Big week ahead for Troy, Katella
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Notes, opinions and more about water polo, tennis, golf, volleyball and cross country in the northern region of the county.
The Troy and Katella boys water polo teams, each ranked in their respective CIF divisions, face big challenges this week.
Both squads are part of the Servite-hosted Hank Vellekamp No. 1 Tournament in addition to having key league matches.
Division V contender Troy (13-3, 2-0) plays a big league match Tuesday at Buena Park. In a change from past seasons, the Freeway League is playing a double round of matches.
In the Empire League, Division VII contender Katella (9-1, 2-0) plays host to Valencia on Tuesday and takes on Cypress on Thursday. …
Villa Park's fourth-ranked boys water polo team could face Northern California powerhouse Miramonte at the North-South Challenge in Atherton on Oct. 24. Both teams will need to win their first-round matches to set up the showdown in the second round.
Defending champion Villa Park opens against De La Salle of Concord, and Miramonte meets La Canada.
As the defending champion, the Spartans will be responsible for transporting the rotating Challenge Cup trophy to Atherton. A Villa Park parent is planning to drive the 2-foot trophy to the tournament, Villa Park consultant John Kulisich said. – Dan Albano
GETTING TOUGHER FOR FULLERTON
For a young team off to a solid start, the toughest stretch starts now.
Fullerton's girls volleyball team, searching for its first Freeway title since 2004, matches up against the league's best — Sonora, La Habra and Troy — these next two weeks.
“We're trying to build off the work ethic the girls have and their positive attitude, and make sure they become more cohesive as a unit,” Coach Wendy Gobar said.
The Indians, who lost some players to transfers and returned three starters, stand at 10-5 overall, 2-0 in the Freeway League. Their confidence began to build during the season's second match, a comeback victory against Cypress, and it has continued to grow as the team has improved. – Jonathan Kay
ESPERANZA TEAMS ROLLING ALONG
Esperanza's boys and girls cross country teams enjoyed success at the Clovis Invitational on Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno
Aztecs sophomore Elliot Myers (15:44) was the top individual finisher in the boys extra-large school varsity race. His senior teammate, Steve Schnieders (15:47), was second in the race.
The Aztecs (188 points) finished second in the team competition behind Paramount (103).
Aztecs junior Teeny Adams won her division, and the Aztecs' girls team finished seventh overall in points (64) and team time (1:35:31), tops among the county schools at the invitational. …
Valencia senior Jose Gutierrez (15:29) was the top finisher at the Empire League Cluster Meet. No. 5 Valencia placed first in the event at Craig Park in Fullerton. – Jason Eichelberger
CONSOLATION PRIZE FOR TROY
Troy's girls tennis team defeated Valencia, 5-3, for the consolation championship at the All-American Tournament this past weekend.
The Warriors got strong performances from singles players Stefanie Villijuan and Frances Tseng, as both went undefeated through the tournament.
Troy's top doubles team of Stephanie Hui and Allison Radde won all seven of their matches. Hui and Villijuan earned all-tournament honors.
In the opening round, the Warriors lost to Palos Verdes, 6-2, and then went on to beat Menlo, 8-0, and CAMS, 6-2. – Artie Casas
Contact the writer: ddottore@ocregister.com
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