Prepare for an invasion of high school boys volleyball players this weekend, as our community plays host to a pair tournaments on Saturday, featuring 42 teams.
Thirty teams, including all five Channel League schools, will take part in the 38th annual Dos Pueblos Invitational at UCSB?s Events Center.
A few exits south on Highway 101, Laguna Blanca is hosting the Laguna Blanca Volleyball Classic at Bishop Diego?s two gymnasiums. The 12-team field features Saddleback Valley Christian, the No. 1-ranked team in CIF-SS Division 5, Windward, the No. 8 team in Division 3 and local schools Laguna Blanca (No. 2 in Division 5), Bishop Diego and Providence Hall.
Pool play for the Laguna Blanca Classic begins at 8:30 a.m. and the playoffs are expected to start around 2 p.m.
The DPI starts at 8 a.m., with the playoffs starting around 3 p.m.
Five CIF-ranked teams are among the field in the Dos Pueblos Invitational. Oak Park and Santa Barbara are first and second in Division 2, Dos Pueblos is rated sixth and Oaks Christian is eighth in the latest poll. The other ranked team is Rio Mesa, No. 6 in Division 3.
The DPI also features L.A. City Section perennial power Palisades, which is coached by beach volleyball legend Randy Stoklos.
List of teams for the DPI: Dos Pueblos, Agoura, Crespi, Rio Mesa, Righetti, Oak Park, Alemany, San Diego-Mt. Carmel, Granada Hills, Oxnard; San Marcos, Simi Valley, Walnut Creek-Las Lomas, Hart, Palisades Charter, Santa Barbara, Arroyo Grande, Harvard Westlake, Santa Ynez, Saugus, Newbury Park, Buena, Capo Valley, San Luis Obispo, Notre Dame; Royal, Oaks Christian, Birmingham Charter, St. Margaret?s, Ventura.
Teams in the Laguna Blanca Classic: Laguna Blanca, Saddleback Valley Christian, Ontario Christian, Mission Prep, Beverly Hills, Orcutt Academy, Carpinteria, Windward, St. Joseph?s SM, Providence Hall, Bishop Diego, Santa Maria.
Other events worth checking out:
THURSDAY
PREP BASEBALL: Buena at Dos Pueblos 3:15 p.m. ? The Channel League opener and the league debut for DP coach Nick Katzenstein. The Chargers figure to send UCSB commit Gabe Speier to the mound. Buena has a standout pitcher in junior Charlie Brooks.
PREP TRACK: Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 2:45 p.m. ? This crosstown meet features some of the top athletes in the area and in the CIF, among them state girls shot put champion Stamatia Scarvelis and state cross country champion Bryan Fernandez of DP.
FRIDAY
COLLEGE BASEBALL: Sacramento State at UCSB, 3 p.m. ? The Gauchos open a three-game series against the Hornets, who have won seven of their last nine.
BOYS TENNIS: Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 2:30 p.m. ? Crosstown rivals meet in a key Channel League match.
COLLEGE TRACK: Santa Barbara Easter Relays, community college division, La Playa Stadium, 9 a.m. ? The Vaqueros host schools from all over the state in this annual meet. Sprinter Cody Bidlow and 400-meter hurdler Tristan Lake lead the SBCC men and thrower Kaytee Krivulka leads the women?s team.
SATURDAY
PREP TRACK: Tri-City Relays, at Westmont College, 9 a.m. ? Local high school teams compete at the beautiful facility at Westmont.
SUNDAY
WOMEN?S WATER POLO: UCSB vs. St. Francis, Marist, Iona, 8 a.m., 10:30, 5 p.m. ? The Gauchos take on a trio of teams from the New York area.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
PREP BASEBALL: Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 3:15 p.m. ? The first crosstown game of the Channel League season.
PREP SOFTBALL: San Marcos at Dos Pueblos 4 p.m. ? These rivals feature outstanding pitchers: Kristen Berlo of San Marcos and Veronika Gulvin of Dos Pueblos.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 6 p.m. ? The Channel League volleyball race figures to be tight, so be prepared for several five-set matches.
