Volleyball Notebook: Local Powers Dominate at Home

It’s the beginning of April and that means the boys volleyball teams in San Gabriel Valley are just getting into the heart of their league schedules. For some teams, it is the time to dominate and improve their playoff seed, while other teams are trying to fight to stay alive.

Arcadia

Arcadia has been turning heads with their incredible turn-around from last year. The Apaches struggled last season, going 9-12 and losing their last seven matches. However, this season has been vastly different thus far, as they had jumped out to a 6-2 start before their first league game on Wednesday.

The Apaches, ranked No. 7 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 poll, clashed with Burroughs, a 17-3 team that is considered by many to be one of the best in the area. Arcadia battled the whole game, but ultimately fell short, losing 3-2.

“It was a rollercoaster of a game and what’s tough is that if we had done what we were supposed to do we would have won,” Arcadia coach Charles Freberg said. “We just made too many mistakes and we got tired in the end. That’s partly my fault I should have tweaked the rotations a bit.”

Arcadia now has a two-week break, and won’t play until April 15.

La Salle

Much like Arcadia, the La Salle Lancers have impressed their fans so far this season, going 5-0 at home on their way to an 11-5 start to the season. The Lancers are entering league play after a 3-3 performance at the Mayfair/Valley tournament, and are ready to make the surge to the playoffs.

“I don't think it matters where we play to be honest with you, i think my guys can play and complete anywhere. I do think the comfort level of playing at home does help a little bit though,” coach Ben Diaz said.

The Lancers (No. 7 in Division 4) started off their league play with a 3-0 win over Bosco Tech. The Lancers host Bishop Montgomery next Tuesday at 6 p.m. before going on the road to face Cathedral on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Flintridge Prep

The Rebels started the year slow going 5-9 in preseason games and tournaments. But the team was without several of its key players for much of those games. Key players like Kenyatta Smith and Jared Norsworthy missed the start of the season as they led the Rebels boys basketball team to the school’s first CIF-Southern Section divisional championship.

“The good thing about them being out as long as they were, was the amount of playing time all the other guys got, and that is something that can only make the team stronger as the year goes on,” coach Sean Beattie said. “With that being said, we are happy to have the whole team together, now we just have to get everyone on the same page.”

The Rebels, who check in at No. 6 in the Division 5 poll, have a week to prepare for their first Prep League game, when they take on Chadwick on the road on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Crescenta Valley

The Falcons are still looking to hit their stride as they enter Pacific League play, stumbling out of the gates to a 6-7 record, including a 3-0 loss to Claremont in their league opener. While they have struggled away from home, going 2-7, they have remained undefeated at home going 4-0.

The Falcons bounced back, defeating Glendale 3-0 to get their league record back to .500 at 1-1. They will have a non-league matchup with Alemany on Friday at 7 p.m. before they take a break until April 15 when they will take on league power Burroughs.

San Marino

The Titans have also struggled to start the year, going 6-10 to start. San Marino has a real life titan in captain Luke Bensuka, who stands at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds.

The Titans started off league play with a tight 3-2 loss at La Cañada. They will now enjoy some time off until April 12 when they host Temple City.

South Pasadena

South Pasadena is looking to turn its season around as the Tigers enter Rio Hondo League play. They were able to register an impressive 3-2 home victory over La Salle earlier in the month, but they have not been able to keep up that play, losing six of their last seven games.

“We are better than our record; our pre-league schedule was high quality,” Tigers coach Todd Terzjan said. “The Temple City match could have gone either way, and we will have another chance at them in second round of league. We are an improving team and let's see what happens after spring break.”

The Tigers next play on April 12 when they travel to La Cañada.

Kevin Taylor's "Boys Volleyball Notebook" will appear weekly on all Patch sites in the San Gabriel Valley area.