Breakers net first win

A formidable schedule figured to test an inexperienced Laguna Beach High girls’ tennis team in the early stages of the 2006 season.

It did, as the Breakers were not able to reach the win column in six early matches against top-rated teams.

That all changed in the past week.

Beginning on Sept. 28 and continuing Monday, Laguna pieced together a modest two-match win streak by defeating both University and Edison in nonleague play.

The Breakers chalked up victory No. 1 by defeating visiting University, 10-8. Madeline Jaeger swept at No. 1 singles and the Breakers’ top doubles team of Lauren Thigpen and Heather Tran also swept the Trojans. The No. 2 doubles team of Sarah Russell/Allison Azera won two of three.

On Monday, Laguna continued its winning ways by taking care of visiting Edison, 11-7. Thigpen and Tran swept again in doubles play, Russell teamed with Ali Hunter to win two of three and Jaeger, Alex Yates-Robinson and Kimmie Smith each won two of three in singles play for the Breakers.

Laguna plays an Orange Coast League match Tuesday at Estancia.

Boys’ Water PoloLaguna overcame a slow start in its Orange Coast League debut to roll past visiting Sage Hill, 15-5.

The Lightning actually took a 1-0 lead into the second quarter but it was there that the Breakers took command, thanks to Pierre Masson. The junior scored three goals during the quarter to help spark Laguna to an 8-2 halftime advantage.

Masson finished the match with seven goals, overall.

Senior Peter Phelps posted two goals and senior Cameron Brinkman and junior Nathan McConnell each scored once.

Laguna followed up that win with a 10th-place finish at the Villa Park Tournament. The Breakers opened the event with a 7-6 win over Aliso Niguel but lost a tough one to top-ranked El Toro (Division I), 14-11.

“This was a great game for us,” Laguna Coach Rick McKee said of his Breakers who rallied from an 8-2 deficit after one quarter to tie the score at 9-9 at the half, and trail by just 11-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

Laguna came back to defeat both Mission Viejo (8-4) and Redlands (8-6), but lost to Damien, 10-5.

The Breakers return to the pool Wednesday to host Costa Mesa in a 3:15 p.m. Orange Coast League match.

Girls’ VolleyballLaguna put a tough week behind and opened up its Orange Coast League slate Tuesday with an impressive sweep of visiting Calvary Chapel.

The Breakers defeated the Eagles, 2-15, 25-18, 25-11.

Dana Hutchinson led Laguna with 14 kills and 11 digs, Mychaela Miller and Alex Palmer each had 10 set assists, Paige Obradovich had six digs and Zoe Garrett, in her first match back with the team since playing last week in tournament action with the U.S. Junior National team, had nine kills.

Garrett did not play last week when the Breakers suffered consecutive set- backs to Mira Costa, Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor.

The Breakers play at Costa Mesa today. First serve is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.

Laguna returns home Tuesday to host Estancia at 4:45 p.m.

CIF-SS rankings for the week:Boys’ Cross-Country

Division IV: 1. Big Bear; 2. Laguna Beach; 3. Morro Bay; 4. Oaks Christian; 5. Maranatha; 6. Harvard/Westlake; 7. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks; 8. Crespi; 9. Paraclete; 10. Templeton.

Girls’ Cross-Country

Division IV: 1. Maranatha; 2. Marlborough; 3. La Reina; 4. Paraclete; 5. Morro Bay; 6. Laguna Beach; 7. Westridge; 8. Louisville; 9. Big Bear; 10. Desert Christian.

Girls’ Volleyball

Division II-AA: 1. Corona del Mar; 2. Laguna Beach; 3. Troy; 4. St. Lucy’s; 5. University; 6. Norco; 7. South Hills; 8. Ayala; 9. Oxnard; 10. Laguna Hills.

Boys’ Water Polo

Division II: 1. Santa Barbara; 2. Servite; 3. Villa Park; 4. Ventura; 5. Laguna Beach; 6. Mission Viejo; 7. Poly/Riverside; 8. Santa Margarita; 9. San Clemente; 10. Mater Dei.