Sports Wrap Sports Wrap (November 12, 2004)

Spartan water polo takes division title

The Mountain View boys water polo team defeated Lynbrook 10-4 on Nov. 6 to win the El Camino Division championship.

The Spartans advanced to the title game by beating Wilcox 11-3 in the semifinals. Senior Ryan Ford scored eight goals in the two games combined.

Mountain View (20-5 overall) earned the number-eight seed in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs. The Spartans will face Bellarmine on Nov. 13 at Independence.

Los Altos, St. Francis water polo also bound for playoffs

The Los Altos and St. Francis boys water polo teams both qualified for the CCS Division II playoffs.

St. Francis (24-7 overall) lost to Bellarmine 12-6 in the championship game of the West Catholic Athletic League playoffs. As the number-two CCS seed, the Lancers will face Burlingame in their home pool on Nov. 13.

Los Altos lost to Gunn 6-5 in the De Anza Division title game, hampered without the services of its star Tyler Smith who has a shoulder injury. On the strength of its 23-7 overall record, Los Altos earned the number-four seed.

The Eagles will play Santa Cruz on Nov. 13 at Independence.

Los Altos volleyball seeded number-one

The Los Altos girls volleyball team earned the top seed in the CCS Division III playoffs. With an overall record of 28-6, the Eagles already have the second-most wins in their school's history.

"We are in a very good position," said Los Altos Coach Dave Winn. "Hopefully, we're starting to peak again at the right time."

The Eagles will begin postseason play on Nov. 13 by facing the winner of the Seaside-Capuchino match.

MV volleyball take tough losses but set for playoffs

The Mountain View girls volleyball team faced Los Gatos and Los Altos in a difficult finish to its regular season schedule. Despite losses to both opponents, the Spartans are headed into CCS playoffs seeded number-six.

"We played some very good volleyball," said Coach Gerrie Phillips after the Los Gatos loss on Nov. 2. "We served tough and had a good match defensively."

Honoring its four seniors -- Sariah Alcaraz, Ralitsa Dineva, Ashley Morris and Rose Wei -- two nights later, Mountain View (23-11 overall) lost to Los Altos 25-20, 25-23, 25-18.

The Spartans were scheduled to play Sequoia in the first round of playoffs on Wednesday. With a win, they would travel to Leland to play Leigh on Nov. 13.

Lancer girls take league title

The St. Francis girls water polo team defeated Sacred Heart Prep 6-5 in the WCAL title game on Nov. 6. Audrey Yau and Natalie O'Farriell each scored six goals as the Lancers defeated Notre-Dame Belmont and Mitty en route to the championship.

St. Francis (22-5 overall) earned the number-two seed in the CCS tournament.

The four-time defending CCS champions beat Lynbrook in the opening round on Tuesday, 12-5. The Lancers will meet the winner of the Santa Catalina-Live Oak match on Nov. 13 in their home pool.

Spartans victorious in De Anza debut

The Mountain View girls water polo team advanced to the CCS playoffs after completing its first year in the upper De Anza Division with a 15-6 overall record.

The Spartans earned the number-13 seed but lost ot Mitty 13-3 in first-round play on Tuesday.

MV football win title, blank Cupertino

Mountain View clinched the El Camino Division football championship by overwhelming Cupertino 50-0 on Nov. 5. Alec Nelson's four rushing touchdowns and Dennis Johnson's safety contributed to the Spartans' second consecutive shutout.

Mountain View (6-3 overall, 5-0 league) concludes its regular season on Nov. 12 at Fremont.

LA runners ready for postseason

The Los Altos boys and girls cross-country teams advanced to the CCS Division III championships on the strength of their performances at the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League Finals on Nov. 2 at Crystal Springs.

Led by sophomore Caitlin Russell (seventh overall in 20:10), the girls team placed fourth. The girls are ranked third in their division going into CCS.

"These girls have an awesome chance of moving on and being the first girls team from Los Altos to ever qualify for State," said Coach Julia Widstrand.

The boys team placed sixth. Junior Russell Field finished in eighth place with a time of 16:43.

The CCS championship will be held on Nov. 13 at Monterey's Toro Park.

-- Scott Campbell

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