Small schools volleyball programs in the area are making some big news.
Laguna Blanca received the No. 1 ranking in this week’s CIF Division 4-A poll. Right behind the Owls is their crosstown rival Cate, which last week knocked off previously top-ranked Pacifica Christian.
Laguna Blanca plays host to Pacifica Christian on Thursday. On Tuesday, the Owls stepped up a division and played Windward in Los Angeles. They were swept by the No. 3 –ranked team in Division 3-AA, but coach Jim Alzina felt his team played well. “We just ran into a team that played unbelievably well,” he said.
It will be showdown Saturday in local small schools volleyball and Laguna Blanca travels to Cate for a Condor League match at 3:30 p.m. Cate won a one-set meeting with the Owls last month in the Laguna Blanca Tournament.
In other sports, Dos Pueblos is tied with Laguna Beach for the No. 3 spot in the Division 2 boys water polo poll. Santa Barbara is ranked seventh and San Marcos is 10th. Defending division champion Agoura is No. 1.
Santa Barbara’s girls tennis team is ranked seventh in Division 1. The Dons’ only losses this season have come against No. 1 Peninsula and No. 3 Campbell Hall.
Carpinteria is the No. 1 team in Division 5.
