It was a tough week for the CIF-SS Division 2 sixth-ranked San Marcos boys water polo team, coach Peera Sukavivatanachai explained at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
It started with a slow start to a game against Division 3 top-ranked Thousand Oaks that resulted in a 12-8 loss.
The Royals (11-8 overall and 1-1 in Channel League) then had their next two games called off because of a breaking news story and a continuing one: the Alisal Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic. Their Channel League game at Dos Pueblos couldn’t be played because of the unhealthy air quality caused by the fire in the Gaviota area.
Then their Saturday trip to Huntington Beach to face an Edison team that’s ranked No. 9 in the same division had to be canceled because of a COVID-19 issue at Edison.
While last week was a bust, there will be no rest for the Royals over the next five days. They’ll play at Dos Pueblos on Tuesday in a 6 p.m. game, host Cabrillo on Wednesday, travel to El Toro on Thursday and stay in Orange County for the Steve Pal Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Sukavivatanachai introduced seniors Keegan Stewart and Jaden Lind.
Stewart is a high-energy player for the Royals.
“Keegan is the type of athlete that only practices and plays at one speed and that’s a 100% effort and an extreme amount of enthusiasm and high energy,” said Sukavivatanachai.
Lind is returning to action after recovering from a second concussion.
“He is in the clear,” said his coach. “He’s been out for the majority of the beginning of our season, but we’ve been slowly introducing him into our team and our practices and scrimmages and games. Hopefully, we’re seeing a big debut from him this week.
“It’ll definitely change the dynamic of how we play, but I think it’ll be for the best for our team.”
CATE FOOTBALL
Craig Bouma, an assistant coach for the top-ranked 8-man football team in Division 1 of the CIF-SS and the proud father of team quarterback and Athlete of the Week Will Bouma, talked about how a group of seniors worked hard to have a big season after last season was wiped out by the pandemic.
“We’ve got six seniors that spent a lot of time in the weight room, a lot of time outside working on pass routes and so on,” said coach Bouma. “And we’re airing it out. We’re having a great time doing it with Will here. He’s responsible for about a touchdown-and-a-half per quarter.”
He’s also making plays on defense.
The elder Bouma announced that his son committed to continue his football career and education at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
“He told Carnegie Mellon he’s going to be their quarterback,” said Craig Bouma. “Hopefully, we’re there for the next four years.”
Cate’s next game is at rival Thacher for the Mt. Pinos League championship on Saturday. Thacher is also unbeaten and ranked second in Division 1.
SBCC FOOTBALL
Coach Craig Moropoulos was happy how his team continued to execute as it romped to a 60-6 win over L.A. Pierce last Saturday at La Playa Stadium.
“In a game like that, where you are the better team, you just got to make sure your guys execute,” he said. “Whatever the sport is you just want people to execute and compete. And our guys did all the way to the end.
“It was a good win for us, and all W’s are good.”
Defensive back and special teams player Jack Kilpatrick was instrumental in the Vaqueros recording their fourth straight win.
“This young man made a pick-6 on a tight end screen. He read it, fought through a block, made a great pick and changed the energy of the game in the first quarter,” said Moropoulos.
Kilpatrick, a freshman from San Diego’s Cathedral Catholic, also caused two fumbles that SBCC converted into touchdowns.
Moropoulos also introduced assistant coach Jackson Weed, a former linebacker for the Vaqueros (2012-13) from Truckee.
“We brought him back and he’s coaching now. “He’s doing a great job, very loyal, very committed,” said Moropoulos.
The Vaqueros (4-1, 1-0) play at L.A. Valley on Saturday night.
UCSB WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
The 7-1 Gauchos, which had seven-match win streak broken at UC Davis on Saturday, look to regroup for two big matches at home this week.
They take on CSUN on Tuesday and face Hawai’i on Friday in Big West play. Hawai’i leads the conference at 8-0.
“(Davis) had a really nice match and we needed a little bit of a reset to get us going for this week,” said assistant coach Adlee Van Winden.
She encouraged the community to come out in force for the Hawai’i match.
Van Winden noted that six-year senior Rowan Ennis has a season attack percentage of over .600, which leads the nation, and tops the Big West in blocks per set.
Libero Macall Peed, a transfer from Penn State, is averaging 1.82 digs per set.
“We’re just having a great time, hoping to create some history at UCSB this year with our program,” said Van Winden.
SAN MARCOS FOOTBALL
Coach Ralph Molina introduced senior defensive back Luis Mayo and junior quarterback Josh Engel.
On Mayo, “He’s really become our best corner. He’s really consistent,” said Molina.
Mayo had an interception in last Friday’s loss against Buena and returned an interception for a touchdown in the Royals’ previous game against Ventura.
Engel stepped into the starting spot after an injury to Joaquin Sandoval
“He battled all summer long for this spot and was ready,” said Molina. “He just keeps getting better and works real hard.”
The coach noted that Engel doesn’t talk much but he smiles a lot.
“He took a couple of shots the other night. I checked on him and he just looked at me and smiled. And I knew he was OK. He’s a tough kid,” said Molina.
The coach also lauded junior running back Andre McCullough, who rushed for 261 yards in the loss to Buena,
“This is a kid who’s a basketball player who only played wide receiver as a freshman. He carried the ball maybe six times in his freshman season, and this guy has just become an incredible guy to watch.
“This kid is special and he’s only a junior.”
San Marcos will have its Senior Night on Friday against a winless Cabrillo team.
The Royals are 1-2 in league but remain in the playoff hunt with two games remaining, said Molina.
WESTMONT WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
At 9-2, the Warriors are a half-game out of first place in the Golden State Athletic Conference, said Westmont Sports Information Director Ron Smith.
The top two teams in the conference receive automatic berths into the NAIA National Tournament.
The Warriors host Hope International and San Diego Christian in GSAC matches Thursday and Saturday at Murchison Gym.
Smith highlighted the play of sophomore outside hitter Phoebe Minch. She had 25 kills and five blocks in two matches last week.
“But she is an all-around player,” Smith pointed out. “In addition to those offensive stats, she also had 75 serve receptions and 33 digs.
“She’s an up-and-coming player for us that I think is going to have an impact on our program for a long time.”
SBCC WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
The Vaqueros rebounded from their first conference loss against Moorpark with a sweep against L.A. Pierce.
“Unfortunately for them, they are not having the greatest season and they felt kind of the wrath of our frustrations from Wednesday night,” said coach Kat Niksto of the Pierce match.
SBCC plays a nonconference match Wednesday at Golden West, a top-25 team in the state.
“It should be another good kind of test of where we sit versus the other strong teams that will potentially make playoffs,” said Niksto.
The Vaqueros open the second round of conference play at home on Friday against Cuesta.
BISHOP DIEGO FOOTBALL
Wide receiver/safety/returner Johnny Alvarado and two-way lineman Logo Logo Va’a represented the 7-1 Cardinals football game.
Alvarado weaved his way down the field on an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught a TD pass in Bishop’s 49-7 win over Newbury Park in the Camino League opener.
“Johnny leads the team in receiving and interceptions and is a dynamic and instinctive player,” said head football coach Tom Crawford in a statement read by girls tennis coach Natlee Hapeman
Crawford on Va’a: “As you can see, Logo Logo is a very, strong young man who is a dominating physical presence on our defensive line. This year, he has taken on extra duties of also playing on our O line at tackle.
“Logo is is getting interest from several colleges. We should see him on Saturday’s in the future.”
BISHOP DIEGO GIRLS TENNIS
Hapeman said Kelsey Burns is one of her strongest singles players.
“Kelsey has an innate sense of where to be on the court,” said Hapeman. “Her strategy is hard to beat along with her strong passing shot and incredible volley.”
Isabela Petraitis Robles is part of the Cardinals’ No. 1 doubles team.
“She has a strong forehand passing shot as well as a serve that really needs to be talked about. She aces a lot of her first serves,” said Hapeman.
BISHOP DIEGO GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Hapeman, reading a report from coach Dillan Bennett, said the team captured its first league championship since 2006 and won all 10 matches in 3-0 sweeps.
The team, which is second seeded in the CIF-SS Division 7 playoffs, ended the regular season with a sweep at third-ranked Costa Mesa.
At the Costa Mesa match, the Cardinals were paid a visit by 1978 Bishop Diego graduate Diane Sebastian Pestolesi, who led the Cardinals to a CIF volleyball title in 1978, was named and CIF Player of the Year, and earned All-American honors at Hawai’i.
This year’s Bishop team has been led by seniors Alina Urzua, Amy Mancinelli and Kylie Zimmerman.
“All three are driving the team forward with the sole focus on bringing home the first CIF volleyball championship to Bishop Diego since 1978,” said Bennett.
LAGUNA BLANCA GIRLS TENNIS
The Owls are 8-3 overall and 4-3 in the Frontier League.
The team is led by sophomore singles player Mina Yazadzhiev, who has won 24 sets this season.
“She’s a fierce competitor and, with her enthusiasm of tennis, really gets the girls motivated,” said assistant coach Daisy Carlson. “She really is a fantastic athlete and fantastic member of our team.”
LAGUNA BLANCA GIRLS GOLF
Athletic Director Matt Steinhaus made his first appearance at the press luncheon to talk about the Owls’ strong girls golf team.
Jayla Provance, who twice has shot 3-under 32 at Buenaventura Golf Course, and was named the Athlete of the Week, is one of the standouts on the team.
In one of the Tri-Valley League tournaments at Buenaventura, the scores of all five Laguna players added up to an even-par team total for nine holes.
“We had three shoot below par 35, including Jayla who shot a 32 and eagled the par-5 fourth hole,” said Steinhaus. “We came back the next week and only played with four. And with those four — the fifth one you automatically take a double par as your default score — we still won the match by 11 strokes.”
He noted the team is deep in terms of golf proficiency.
The Owls will play at the league championships on Tuesday and Thursday in Ventura.
DOS PUEBLOS FOOTBALL
Coach AJ Pateras singled out junior cornerback Ryan Orozco and junior linebacker Cory Kazzi for the performances in the Chargers’ loss against a red-hot Rio Mesa team last Friday
He said Orozco has been “our go-to coverage guy in tough situations.”
Orozco forced a fumble early in the game and Kazzi scooped it up and ran down the field.
“Cory is second on our team in tackles and he just got his highest GPA in his high school career this term,” said Pateras.
“I’m excited about those two young guys.”
Pateras said the Chargers took a hit in the Rio Mesa game when playmaker Dylon Bailey suffered a broken ankle.
“He’s been kind of our spark plug in terms of just how much we can do down field. We’re disappointed to lose him, but he’s had a fantastic year.”
The Chargers next play host to Santa Barbara in a game that will determine the “City Championship.”
“It should be a fun environment at our place,” said Pateras. “They’re coming off a couple of big wins and are having a good season, so we have our work cut out for us. But we look forward to playing for a city championship.”
DOS PUEBLOS BOYS WATER POLO
It’s crosstown rivalry week for coach Bryan Snyder’s Chargers as they play host to San Marcos at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and then play at Santa Barbara on Wednesday at 3:15 p.m.
“Those games are always fun,” said Snyder. “The kids all play club together in town, so they’re all friends and that makes the rivalry that much better because they’re playing for school pride. Then in the offseason they get to joke about it when they’re playing for the same club team. It’s pretty cool.”
Snyder introduced Cody Pierce and Johnny Bish, a couple of energy guys.
“Cody is kind of a spark plug for us. He’s very reliable. He’s there every day and he goes one speed, all out,” said Snyder. “He’s super scrappy in the water. He does wrestling in the offseason, so he’s a great land athlete as well. When we’re doing cross training at weights, running laps and stuff, he’s always one of the first guys to finish.”
Bish is one of the top distance swimmers in town and is nationally ranked in open water swimming.
“Johnny has one speed, and that’s fast,” said Snyder. He has one speed but he could do it all day. You could ask him to swim for eight hours straight and he would do the same speed the whole time.
“It’s really great to have these guys come in and give us that energy, and just go one speed.”
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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