Boys’ volleyball: SF Valley/North region well-represented in semifinals
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Plenty of SF Valley/North regional teams are still spiking in the playoffs, and it looks like we’re going to see multiple regional champions.
Top-seeded Valencia, the favorite for the Division II title, squares off against a very strong Dos Pueblos squad Wednesday in the semifinals. The fourth-seeded Chargers are fresh off a spectacular, five-game victory over Laguna Beach on Friday and should offer the Vikings their first real challenge of the postseason. Neither team has played each other, but both teams got a firsthand look at each other at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions last month.
Speaking of Santa Barbara, the second-seeded Dons -- the only team in the division to beat Valencia this season -- will play host to third-seeded Corona del Mar, and it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top in this one.
Now, let’s not forget about the other divisions. No. 2 Quartz Hill has played phenomenally this postseason, and it’s the highest-seeded team left in the Division III playoffs. Like it has against all of its playoff opponents, the Rebels swept Yucaipa on Friday, and I have a good feeling the Rebels’ season won’t end in the semifinals like it did last spring.
And there aren’t any surprises in Division IV -- crosstown rivals and title favorites Oak Park and Oaks Christian are still in the hunt. It looks like we’ll see a rematch of the 2006 divisional title game between these two teams Saturday at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
But can the Eagles stop Oaks Christian’s quest for a fourth divisional title? I’m guessing Stephen Thompson & Co. are definitely up to the challenge, but we’ll have to wait to see if they can get past Bishop Montgomery first. Plus, Oaks Christian can’t underestimate Bishop Diego.
Finally, second-seeded Viewpoint is the favorite heading into its Division V semifinal with Chadwick.
Click here for a complete schedule of Wednesday’s semifinal matches. Go here to look at the bracket.
-- Austin Knoblauch
