So, how excited was Westmont women’s volleyball coach Patti Cook about her team’s performance in a four-set victory over NAIA top-ranked Biola last week?
“… There were pre-term labor threats,” cracked Cook, who is expecting her third child in a three months. “It was absolutely amazing.”
Cook shared her thoughts on her team’s stellar play at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Café.
She called the victory and the team’s performance “the highlight of her career. You have those moments as a coach where you see the potential your girls have; you see that in practice or in the games. I saw that potential realized in all six players on the court at the same time in that match. I can confidently said all six girls on the court had their best match of the season. We did something really special.”
Making it extra special was the crowd at Murchison Gym that night. It was loud and crazy. Cook said longtime men’s basketball coach John Moore told her that he’d never seen anything like it for a volleyball match.
“The crowd was amazing. They were on seventh player,” said Cook.
CROSS COUNTRY
San Marcos: A league title for the girls and a postseason berth for the boys are on the line for the Royals as they head into the final Channel League meet at Ventura’s Camino Real Park on Thursday.
Coach Lawrence Stehmeier said the girls are tied with Ventura for first place and the boys are in fourth. The top three teams make the CIF competition, which this year is being held in Riverside rather than at Mt. SAC.
Stehmeier said his runners are peaking at the right time. San Marcos runners won four of the five individual titles at the County Championships last week in Lompoc.
He introduced two of those winners, varsity champion Erica Schroeder and JV champion Emily Pearlman. He said Schroeder is one of those special athletes who brings everything to the table. “Erica has a good attitude, work ethic and talent.”
On Pearlman, the coach said she pushes hard every day in practice and is the reason why the No. 6 and 7 varsity runners work so hard.
Sophomore Mya Adornetto runs at the No. 4 spot and right behind the top three runners.
From the boys team, Stehemeier said Jerry Swider is the consistent one on the squad and sophomore Ty Burre has worked his way up to the varsity squad and is taking advantage of his opportunity.
FOOTBALL
Cate: Coach Ben Soto shared some good news about his team. His unbeaten Rams (8-0) received a first-round bye in the CIF Division 1 8-man playoffs and the team was ranked No. 1 in the state by CalHiSports and MaxPreps.
“What that means to me is I’m very grateful for all my coaches and trainers who put in a lot of hours with our players,” he said of the state ranking. “I’m grateful to every student that has come through my program.”
Soto also acknowledged the coaches he’s learned from: Lou Panizzon and Ben Hallock at Carpinteria and Mike Warren, “who brought me here many, many, many years ago.”
SBCC: Coach Craig Moropoulos was still raving about the unbelievable catch made by wide receiver Osha Washington during the Vaqueros’ wild 40-38 win over Antelope Valley on Saturday.
On a third-and-long play, Washington stretched out horizontally and, with his body fully extended, made a one-handed grab for a 46-yard gain and a first down.
“That’s the finest catch in 30 years of coaching I have ever seen,” Moropoulos said.
Backup quarterback Alexander Cuevas had a big game, throwing for 349 yards and two touchdowns and running for a TD. “There was no missing a beat,” said Moropoulos of Cuevas, who started in place of an injured Brandon Edwards. “He was a big part of that win.”
SBCC faces a tough task on Saturday, taking on unbeaten Santa Monica at La Playa Stadium.
“We’ll be a ready for them,” he said.
Carpinteria: After watching Bishop’s AV Bennett burn the Warriors on a 52-yard punt return and 67-yard sweep for touchdowns, assistant coach Rick Candaele said: “No. 11 is very fast; I would encourage him to go out for track. If I would have had the chance, I’d encourage him to go out for cross country.”
Despite the 35-6 loss, Candaele said Carpinteria played well against unbeaten Bishop. “We did some good things. They did things a little bit better.”
He introduced seniors Chance Wright and Aaron Vargas, adding that they are part of the reason the Warriors have chance to make the playoffs. A win over Fillmore on Friday puts them in the Northern Division playoffs.
San Marcos: The Royals will have a healthy quarterback D’Shaun Vines and running back Ivan Reyes for Friday’s Big Game against Santa Barbara, coach Anthony Linebaugh said.
“We’re looking forward to playing our best football,” he said.
Bishop Diego: The Cardinals play at Nordhoff for a chance to win the outright Tri-Valley League title. The Rangers have denied Bishop from winning the league title the last two years.
“They’ve been a thorn in our side,” said Crawford.
The coach introduced three players who have helped the team go 9-0, AV Bennett, Bailey Salcedo and Gavin Callow. Bennett has gained more than 1,000 all-purpose yards this season. Salcedo is a standout senior cornerback and Callow is a “tremendous offensive lineman” who also plays on the defensive line. “The improvement of those type of players are what make the difference for us,” said Crawford.
Laguna Blanca: Assistant coach Taylor Selby said the Owls have played without five starters the last two weeks, but players like Pierce O’Donnell and Christian Fowler have stepped up and come through for the team.
O’Donnell, normally an H-back, played quarterback. “He learned it in a week and went with it,” said Selby. Pierce is one of the finest athletes I’ve been around and coached.
He called Fowler “a stud on the defensive and offensive lines.”
Laguna Blanca (6-2) received a playoff bid and will open at home on Saturday against Lucerne Valley.
VOLLEYBALL
Santa Barbara: Coach John Gannon said Tournament of Champions winner Torrey Pines “was about as complete of a high school team you’ll see. They play with passion that’s awesome to watch.”
Gannon introduced senior outside hitter Lourda Weger, who led the Dons with 136 kills in Channel League play.
Besides being a standout volleyball player and teammate, “she’s an amazing student first; she gets straight A’s across the board,” Gannon said.
Bishop Diego: Coach John Sener said the Cardinals have grown as a team and program exponentially. He introduced Talia Medel and Lauren Holsted, two talented freshmen who love the game and make the future bright for Bishop volleyball.
Carpinteria: Athletic director Pat Cooney introduced setter Katie McGee and freshman middle Jenny Alaniz. The Warriors host Cate on Tuesday.
TENNIS
Santa Barbara High: Coach Sally Becker paid tribute to her three seniors: Cade Sorensen, Hope Dalton and Natasha Fleisher. “Through the season we have come together as a team through shear grit and determination,” she said. “These girls have brought the whole team together. They play together, shop together and eat a lot together.”
The Dons finished second in the Channel League and earned a CIF playoff berth. They’ll open the Division 1 playoffs on Wednesday at Marlborough.”
UCSB men: Assistant coach Blake Muller noted that the doubles team of Miles Seemann and Nathan Eshmade became the first Gauchos to win a title at the Southern California Intercollegiate Championships. They went through qualifying rounds to make the main draw and beat three teams from USC en route to the title.
Carpinteria: The Warriors play at Crescenta Valley on Tuesday in a CIF wild-car match. Cooney recognized Maria Zamora for involvement in school and in the community. He said coach Charles Bryant called Athena Cuellar the most improved player and most polite on the court.
NOTE
Cooney announced that former Carpinteria coach Lou Panizzon and his daughter, Christie, will host a 40-year anniversary event for the 1975 CIF Championship football team on Nov. 7.
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