SPRING SPORTS : Salesian Mustangs Make a Run for the Playoffs

Without playing even one league match, the Salesian High volleyball squad is already preparing to make a better showing in this season’s playoffs.

Last week, the Mustangs traveled to Las Vegas where they finished 2-5 in two days of competition. But the preseason record isn’t what counts.

“Our main concern is going higher (in the post season),” said Mustang Coach George Rodriguez, who started the volleyball program six years ago.

Last season the Mustangs dropped their first four matches but finished with their second consecutive league title with 16 victories in a row. Salesian’s streak grew to 17 in the post season, but the Mustangs lost in the second round to eventual Division III champion Whittier Christian.

The toughest team the Mustangs played in last week’s Easter Tournament was Nevada state champion Chaparell High. Salesian lost 15-7, 10-15, 17-15, 17-15.

Only three Mustangs returned to the team this year, Rodriguez said: At 5-foot-8, senior outside hitter and captain Phillip Andalon “jumps as if he was 5-foot-11” and is averaging 12 kills a match. With an average of 30 assists a game, Juan Rodriguez is “like the quarterback of the team.” And 6-foot-2 middle blocker George Sanchez averages six kills and 10 stuff blocks a match.

The Mustangs will be looking for its fourth Santa Fe League title. Their season opener is April 12 against Daniel Murphy.

Swimming

Garfield’s Martha Ramos broke six school records in three meets.

The 15-year-old sophomore set new girls’ varsity records in the 500 freestyle (6:34.69) in the Bulldogs’ victory over Huntington Park, and the 100 backstroke (1:12.58) at Roosevelt.

She was also the third swimmer of the record-breaking 400 freestyle relay team, which included Dianne Jordan, Liz Hernandez and Laura Avila.

Volleyball

Loyola 3, Royal 0--The undefeated Cubs rolled over the 1993 Division II finalist, 15-8, 15-7, 15-13, in a nonleague match Wednesday.

“The reason the last game was so close was because we put different people in to play,” said Cub Coach Darrick Lucero. “They were catching up with our offense, but they couldn’t keep up with our passers.”

Setter Steve Donne ran the offense and middle blockers Lee Bennett and Dan Farmer dominated the middle with good passing.

Loyola 3, Playa del Rey St. Bernard 0--It took the Cubs less than an hour Tuesday to trample Mission League guest St. Bernard, 15-6, 15-4, 15-13, for its sixth Mission League victory. The third game featured setter Vaughn Montgomery running the offense with Biran Donne spiking five kills and three aces. Brad Walsh was instrumental in backcourt ball control with good passes to the front.

Murphy 3, Cathedral 0--Blown out in the first two games, the Phantoms briefly held a 6-4 lead in the third game during a Santa Fe League match Thursday. Riddled with serving errors, Murphy had no trouble coming back and winning in three, 15-3, 15-2, 15-9. Setter Paul Villareal was the main offensive force for Cathedral with several key assists while his brother, junior outside hitter Jerry, served three aces and struggled to tally three kills.

Tennis

San Marino 11 1/3, Loyola 9 2/3--The Cubs’ four-match winning streak was snapped in nonleague competition Thursday. Loyola won seven of nine singles but lost seven out of nine doubles matches. Winning in straight sets, senior Ryan Becker remains undefeated in five matches while his ninth-grade brother, David, won two sets and lost one. Sophomore Mike Ortiz gave up one set as well.

The only other close match Loyola has had this season was with Thousand Oaks, 13-8, while the rest of its preseason schedule has consisted of blowouts. “We should be competing for the league title against Harvard-Westlake,” said first-year Coach Mike Denison.

Soccer

Belmont boys’ soccer Coach Nancy Carr-Swaim will be featured in KCET-TV Channel 28’s “Life and Times” at 7:30 p.m. and midnight Wednesday.

The documentary, produced and reported by Esther Reyes, highlights Carr-Swaim’s career as a woman coaching a boys’ sport.

“In the two months I was with them, I saw her relationship with the boys blossom and the growth of the team,” Reyes said.

Carr-Swaim guided the Sentinels to their second City Section title less than a month ago but was forced to relinquish it after a player was ruled ineligible. Belmont is waiting an answer on its appeal.