Laguna High girls’ tennis team vaults to No. 1

Breakers team knocks off Peninsula High; girls’ volleyball team wins league title.It was a big week for the Laguna Beach High girls’ tennis and volleyball programs.

The girls’ tennis team pulled off something 17 other teams could not do this season: defeat Peninsula.

The girls’ volleyball team did something no other team at the school had done in four years: win a league championship.

Girls’ Tennis

A treacherous two-match swing proved to be just what the Laguna Beach High girls’ tennis team needed.

The Breakers began two days of intense action on Oct. 25 with a 10-8 victory over Corona del Mar. By winning that close match, Laguna was able to tie the Sea Kings for first place in the Pacific Coast League championship race.

That also proved to be the perfect primer for its match the following day, an Oct. 26 nonleague meeting with Peninsula in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Unbeaten Peninsula sported a 17-0 record on the season, but third-ranked Laguna, whose only loss this year was Sept. 29 at Corona del Mar, pinned a stunning 11-7 loss on the Panthers.

That win propelled Laguna (16-1) to a No. 1 ranking in this week’s CIF-Southern Section Division I poll. Peninsula fell to second.

“The girls really stepped up and did what had to be done,” Laguna coach Greg Weiss said. “I think the CdM match really helped us, because it was so close. My doubles teams played an outstanding match. Everybody did.”

Laguna got sweeps from its top doubles team of seniors Katie Ochwat and Kellie Ammerman, as well as from its No. 2 tandem of senior Lorren Butterwick and junior Lauren Thigpen.

In singles players, No. 1 Claire Rietsch and No. 2 Lyndsay Kinstler, each won two of three sets. Sophomore Sarah Russell also picked up a big win at No. 3 singles.

“This was a very solid win for our team, and the girls are very excited,” Weiss said. “They were also very stoked when I told them yesterday [Tuesday] that we are ranked No. 1. They’ve gone out and proved it on the court.”

Weiss also stunned the team when he announced after the Peninsula match that this is his final year as head coach of the program.

“I’ve just decided to leave the tennis program and pursue other opportunities,” he said.

There was no letdown for the Breakers following the win over Peninsula and Weiss’ announcement, as Laguna came back on Oct. 27 to rout Beckman, 17-1. On Monday they took care of University, 15-3. The two wins improved Laguna’s league record to 10-1.

The Pacific Coast League tennis finals continue today and possibly on Monday, Weiss said, at Corona del Mar High.

Then it’s on to CIF play.

“I told the girls the one thing they can give me before I leave is a CIF title,” he said. “That’s our goal.”

Girls’ Volleyball

Laguna clinched the 2005 Pacific Coast League championship Tuesday with a sweep of host University, 26-24, 25-12, 25-12.

It was the 14th Pacific Coast League title for the school in the last 20 years and 27th league title overall, but its first since 2001.

Dana Hutchinson had 17 kills and seven digs, Stephanie Darnall 13 kills, Zoe Garrett eight kills and six digs, Paige Obradovich five aces and Mykaela Miller 30 set assists for the Breakers, who improved to 10-1 in the league and 20-6 overall.

The CIF playoffs begin next week for Laguna.

Boys’ Water Polo

In a battle for second place in the Pacific Coast League standings Wednesday, Northwood scored a last-second goal to defeat host Laguna, 14-13. Mike Dick scored six goals to lead Laguna.

The Breakers also suffered a 13-5 league loss to host Corona del Mar. Peter Phelps led the Breakers with four goals, and Dick scored one.

At the North Orange County Tournament, the Breakers lost to La Jolla, 10-4, but defeated Damien, 10-8. Dick scored six goals to lead Laguna in the win over Damien.

The CIF-SS water polo playoffs begin next week for Laguna.20051104ipei5qknWENDI KAMINSKI / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Laguna Beach High School’s Adam Kaplan, left, Kirk Westlake and Mike Dike defend against an attack by Northwood High’s Travis Noll during Wednesday’s game. The Breakers lost the game in overtime. The Breakers also suffered a 13-5 loss to Corona del Mar. At the North Orange County Tournament, the Breakers lost to La Jolla but defeated Damien. The CIF-SS water polo playoffs begin next week.