Sports Wrap Sports Wrap (September 23, 2005)

Eagles await Spartans after big road win

The Los Altos football team posted its first win of the year in defeating Harbor 27-6 on Sept. 17. Rebounding from a close, season-opening loss to Evergreen Valley, the visiting Eagles never trailed as their aggressive defense dictated the pace of the game.

"We bounced right back," Los Altos coach Erik Rutgers said after his team improved its record to 1-1.

Behind an efficient offense that rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns, the Eagles succeeded in their goal of winning the physical battle at the line of scrimmage.

The only blemish for the Eagles' defense was a 68-yard double pass that went for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Los Altos limited the four-wideout Harbor attack to 203 total yards and a measly 3.3 yards per play.

Next up for the Eagles is a game they circled as soon as their schedule was released -- a visit to archrival Mountain View on Sept. 24.

Lancers volleyball plays tough against top field

After a strong showing in the St. Francis Varsity Tournament, the Lancers' volleyball team continued its fast start to the season.

In finishing third in pool play on Sept. 16, the Lancers defeated St. Francis-Watsonville while falling to Bishop O'Dowd and Notre Dame-Salinas.

Coach Kim Oden was particularly impressed with her young squad's performance against Bishop O'Dowd, noting that St. Francis handed the eventual champions their only game loss.

"We did really well," said Oden of her team's 25-17, 22-25, 15-12 loss. "I'm excited."

The following day, the Lancers (5-2) defeated Salinas and then posted a three-game victory over Harker in the Silver Division finals.

Junior setter Emily Ettel was selected to the All-Tournament team and outside hitters Chrissy Zirpolo and Lexie Aissa made solid contributions throughout the weekend as well.

St. Francis travels to Mission Viejo to play in the Capistrano Valley Tournament on Sept. 23-24, and opens WCAL play by hosting Valley Christian on Oct. 4.

Sports Shorts

The Los Altos boys water polo team improved its record to 6-3 after finishing ninth in the Scott Roche Invitational. The Eagles lost a tight, defensive contest against Palo Alto 3-2, but rebounded to defeat Hollister, Burlingame and Menlo-Atherton in the two-day tournament on Sept. 16-17. Los Altos hosts Gunn in a De Anza Division showdown on Sept. 28. The last four contests between the teams have been decided by one goal each. ... Rebounding from a 6-1 loss to Fremont, Mountain View's girls tennis team evened its El Camino Division record at 1-1 following a 5-2 victory over Santa Clara on Sept. 16. The visiting Spartans swept the doubles matches, and Gabi Kuftinec and Anna Doty won the No. 3 and No. 4 singles matches, respectively. Mountain View's No. 2 doubles team, Myndi McDonald and Laura Brigham, has won both of its league matches this season. The Spartans (1-2 overall) visit Gunn on Sept. 27. ... After a season-opening blowout of Gunn, Mountain View's football team lost 21-7 at Menlo on Sept. 17.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.