The final week of September brings us one step closer to the start of league play across the girls volleyball landscape. Some leagues will get under Thursday. Here is a list of matches that grab my attention this week:
Start time for varsity matches vary, but if you’re at the gym by 5:15, you should be in good shape.
******************************************
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Laguna Beach at Newport Harbor – interesting nonleague match. Laguna Beach gets one final true test before the start of Orange Coast League play. The Sailors are coming off of a five-set loss to Orange Lutheran and every victory is important as they set their sights on the upcoming Sunset League race.
No. 1 Santa Margarita at Marymount – The top-ranked Eagles hit the road to face the sixth-ranked Sailors. The teams met to start the second day of the Durango Fall Classic, with the Eagles winning 24-26, 25-16, 25-16. Marymount is ranked sixth in the latest CIF-SS Division 1AA poll. I still find it somewhat surprising that Santa Margarita is ranked fourth.
No. 7 Edison at No. 10 Orange Lutheran – The Lancers are coming off of a clean sweep of the Whittier Varsity Classic Saturday. Edison defeated El Toro in four sets in its last match. Both teams figure to be in the mix for the CIF playoffs out of their respective leagues.
No. 6 Mater dei at No. 4 Los Alamitos– what’s not to like about a Los Alamitos-Mater Dei match? The teams met earlier this year at Dave Mohs with the Griffins winning in three sets. The Monarchs have played just eight matches so far this season, but you know they have taken advantage of their practice time. Los Alamitos swept Palos Verdes last week
******************************************
Thursday
No. 2 Corona del Mar at Woodbridge – The Sea Kings have dominated the Pacific Coast League winning at least nine consecutive league titles. They haven’t lost a set in league play since the 2008 season. The Warriors and Beckman figure to push CdM this season, will it be enough to dethrone the champions? Stay tuned.
Esperanza at Whittier Christian – Neither team is ranked in the county, but take a look at the Division 2AA rankings and see why this is a big match. The Aztecs are ranked fourth and the Heralds are eighth.
