CIF Polls: Dons, Royals 2-3 in D-2 boys volleyball

Santa Barbara High and San Marcos are ranked second and third in the CIF Division 2 preseason boys volleyball poll.

The Dons return several players off last year’s team that reached the division finals. Leading the way is outside hitter Tristan Fauntleroy.

San Marcos returns Channel League MVP and All-CIF outside hitter Shane Hauschild. The Royals also have returning first-team All-Channel League outside hitter Baker Johnson and setter Christian Widmer.

Defending division champion Esperanza is No. 1 In the first poll. The Aztecs return star players Jake Arnitz and Ben Oxnard. Arnitz has committed to UCLA.

Dos Pueblos is ranked seventh. The Chargers have a new coach this season in Ehren Hug.

Laguna Blanca cracked the top 10 in Division 5 at the No. 8 spot.

DIVISION 2
1. Esperanza 2. Santa Barbara 3. San Marcos 4. Foothill 5. Laguna Beach 6. Oak Park 7. Dos Pueblos 8. Oaks Christian 9. Long Beach Poly 10. Burroughs/Burbank

DIVISION 5
1. Saddleback Valley Christian 2. Garden Grove 3. San Gabriel Academy 4. La Quinta/Westminster 5. Mary Star of the Sea 6. Ontario Christian 7. Arrowhead Christian 8. Laguna Blanca 9. Pacific Lutheran 10. St Bernard

SOFTBALL
With pitcher Veronika Gulvin back on the mound, Dos Pueblos received the No. 3 ranking in the Division 4 preseason poll. The Chargers are behind Hemet and Santa Monica.

Righetti is ranked No. 1 in Division 3.

DIVISION 4
1. Hemet 2. Santa Monica 3. Dos Pueblos 4. Patriot 5. La Quinta/LQ 6. Buena 7. Paloma Valley 8. Oak Hills 9. Loara 10. Heritage

BASEBALL
No local Channel League teams were ranked in the preseason Division 2 poll, but Carpinteria and Cate made the top 10 in their respective divisions.

Carpinteria is 10th in Division 6 while Cate is sixth in Division 7.

DIVISION 6
1. Desert Christian Academy 2. Capistrano Valley Christian 3. Poly/Pasadena 4. Crean Lutheran 5. Sierra Canyon 6. Flintridge Prep 7. Buckley 8. St. Margaret’s 9. Webb 10. Carpinteria. Others: Desert Christian/L, Southlands Christian

DIVISION 7
1. Firebaugh 2. Temecula Prep 3. Nuview Bridge 4. Dunn 5. Coast Union 6. Cate 7. Riverside Christian 8. Santa Clarita Christian 9. Riverside Prep 10. Avalon