As the calendar switched over to October on Monday, so did the focus of many of the coaches speaking at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon.
The focus has shifted from preseason schedules to league competition, with many teams facing a crucial week in the days ahead.
“If there is the biggest week to come out and support UCSB women’s volleyball, it’s this week,” said Gauchos assistant coach David Fischer.
UCSB hosts Pepperdine on Wednesday, Cal State Northridge on Friday, and Hawaii on Saturday.
Also on the volleyball court, Santa Barbara High’s girls team plays two rivalry matches in one week, hosting San Marcos on Tuesday and Dos Pueblos on Thursday.
“Basically this week is huge for the Dons,” Gannon said.
As if the Little Big Game wasn’t big enough already, Carpinteria and Bishop Diego are back in the same league for the first time since 2009. The Cardinals (5-0) travel to Carpinteria (4-2) for Friday’s Tri-Valley League opener.
Before the coaches gave their reports, Dave Pintard presented Providence Hall’s Erik Sheets with the Phil Womble Award and Laura Trudelle was introduced by Lions Athletic Director Keith Luberto as the school’s Coach of the Year.
UCSB water polo player Derek Shoemaker was named male Athlete of the Week. Westmont’s doubles team of Nicci Yvanovich and Tara Yekrang shared the female Athlete of the Week award.
IN REVIEW (In order of appearance)
UCSB MEN’S SOCCER – Assistant coach Greg Curry gave a quick report on the Gauchos weekend in which they recorded a win and a draw. The still undefeated Gauchos host two Big West matches this weekend, starting with UC Irvine on Friday.
WESTMONT WOMEN’S TENNIS – Kathy LeSage talked about her doubles team of Yvanovich and Yekrang that won the Athlete of the Week award. The duo won a regional title at Biola on Saturday and travel to Alabama for the national small colleges tournament. “They play like there’s no tomorrow.”
DOS PUEBLOS VOLLEYBALL – Todd Garrett’s team split its two Channel League matches last week. Sam Rhine and Melissa Scott were there. “These two are two of the hardest working girls I’ve ever coached.” Coming up for the Chargers is Ventura and Santa Barbara this week.
PROVIDENCE HALL VOLLEYBALL – Trudelle’s team went on a six-game win streak recently, a school record. Olivia LeSage and Olivia Barroca represented the Lions, who play three matches this week.
SBCC FOOTBALL – Coach Moropoulos’ team beat Carmeggedon on Saturday as well as its opponent, increasing the Vaqueros win streak to three games.
LAGUNA BLANCA VOLLEYBALL – The Owls have been playing a tough schedule, suffering recent losses to top-5 teams in Windward and Viewpoint. Chloe Richman, Channelle Janssens and the rest of the Owls begin league play this week.
SAN MARCOS VOLLEYBALL – The Royals drew a big crowd for their Channel League victory over Dos Pueblos last week. “It was a wonderful atmosphere,” said Marylin Hantgin, speaking on behalf of Royal head coach Erica Downing. “San Marcos has really brought out the fans for all the sports, so it was great.” The team features UCSB committ Kristen Berlo and setter Andie O’Donnell.
CARPINTERIA VOLLEYBALL – Warriors Athletic Director Pat Cooney reported for the girls vooleyball team, which went 6-2 at their own Carpinteria Fall Classic on Saturday.
LAGUNA BLANCA FOOTBALL – Head coach Shane Lopes has had the unenviable job of replacing his starting quarterback because of injury. A quarterback coach at heart, Lopes said he believed being a backup QB was more difficult than being a starting one because of the inability to prepare. Lopes brought his backup-now-starting quarterback Quentin Tedesco, whom he praised for having the intangibles to be successful at the position.
CARPINTERIA FOOTBALL – Ben Hallock brought his trio of Anthonys. There are three on the team: Mark Anthony, Anthony Garcia and Anthony Graham. The Warriors, who have won four straight, are trying to focus on Bishop Diego.
SANTA BARBARA HIGH VOLLEYBALL – The Dons have started league play 1-1 but so has just about everyone else. The Channel League looks like it will feature more parity than it has in many years. Each of the five schools already has at least a loss and a win.
WESTMONT SOCCER – Sports Information Director Ron Smith reported for the men’s and women’s team. The Men’s team has only two players that have scored goals this season, causing offensive woes for the team. The women’s team is learning to work through heightened expectations as the ranked Warriors
SAN MARCOS FOOTBALL – Anthony Linebaugh acknowledged his team’s preseason struggles, which can be put behind them with a strong Channel League season. Mike Orosco and Colin Sinninger-Banales came with Coach Linebaugh. Sinninger-Banales returned a kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown on Friday night.
DOS PUEBLOS FOOTBALL – The Chargers took a long road trip on Friday night only to lose 27-14 to an undefeated San Juan Hills team. DP head coach Nate Mendoza said his team had its chances to win in the fourth quarter but ultimately lost to a quality opponent. With Mendoza were skill players Jake Andrach and Malcolm Cellard-Farral. “We’re gonna come back hungry after a tough loss on Friday night,” Mendoza said.
CATE FOOTBALL – Rams assistant Dave Soto spoke of his dad, who has “gotten so big he has other people doing his speeches for him.” The Rams played all 27 players in uniform in Saturday’s victory over Laguna Blanca. The younger Soto will be on t
UCSB VOLLEYBALL – Gaucho assistant coach David Fischer first attended a Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon in 1990 while a student at Santa Barbara High. Fisher reported on the Gauchos, who host three matches this week.
SBCC SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL – Dave Loveton reported for three teams. The Vaquero men’s soccer team, which went 1-1 last week, has an international flavor this season. Sandy Grimaldo scored twice in Thursday’s women’s game and has totaled six goals in the season. Brandie Harris leads with eight goals. The women The volleyball team went 2-0 last season to start WSC play.
SANTA BARBARA HIGH FOOTBALL – The Dons overcame a bunch of penalties to win again on Friday. Dons head coach Doug Caines liked how his team handled what he characterized as some potentially frustrating flags. Santa Barbara (5-1), with Jesse Alcantar and Efren Sanchez in attendance, travels to Buena on Friday.
BISHOP DIEGO FOOTBALL – Tom Crawford’s Cardinals improved to 5-0 on Friday with a come-from-behind 13-8 victory over Santa Fe Christian. “It’s always nice to win the homecoming game and be able to show up for school on Monday,” Crawford joked. Lineman Joe Salcedo and Jose del Campo were called “anchors” of the team by Crawford.
STUDENT-ATHLETES PRESENT
Erik Sheets, Providence Hall
Derek Shoemaker, UCSB Water Polo
Lacey Bushey, Carpinteria High Volleyball
Erin Calloway, Carpinteria High Volleyball
Tara Yekrang, Westmont Tennis
Nicci Yvanovich, Westmont Tennis
Chloe Richman, Laguna Blanca Volleyball
Chanelle Janssens, Laguna Blanca Volleyball
Kristen Berlo, San Marcos Volleyball
Andie O’Donnell, San Marcos Volleyball
Sam Rhine, Dos Pueblos Volleyball
Melissa Scott, Dos Pueblos Volleyball
Quentin Tedesco, Laguna Football
Mark Anthony, Carpinteria Football
Anthony Garcia, Carpinteria Football
Anthony Graham, Carpinteria Football
Mike Orozco, San Marcos Football
Colin Sinninger-Banales, San Marcos Football
Joe Salcedo, Bishop Diego Football
Jose del Campo, Bishop Diego Football
Jake Andrach, Dos Pueblos Football
Malcolm Cellard-Farrall, Dos Pueblos Football
Olivia Barroca, Providence Hall Volleyball
Olivia LeSage, Providence Hall Volleyball
Mike Peterson, SBCC Football
George Roman, SBCC Football
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