Sylmar and Poly Share Title Dream

They shared a gym in this year’s playoffs and have taken turns in the spotlight of the City Section 3-A Division.

Sylmar High and Poly now share a common opponent--each other.

The Valley Pac-8 Conference rivals play in the 3-A girls’ volleyball championship game tonight at Occidental College.

Last season, Sylmar eliminated Poly in the semifinals en route to its second 3-A title in three years.

This season, the teams split two matches during the regular season and set up a race for the top seeding in the playoffs.

Poly (14-2) received the nod over second-seeded Sylmar (13-3), and then it lent a hand. Or, rather, its gym.

Sylmar has played the entire season without its gym, which is having a new floor installed, but has used Poly’s during the playoffs.

“[Poly Coach] Jimmy [Ikeda] and I respect each other and our programs and he knows I’d do the same for him,” Sylmar Coach Bob Thomson said.

The extended hand will be withdrawn today.

“This is the rivalry weekend,” Thomson said. “You have USC-UCLA, Michigan-Ohio State and Florida-Florida State [in football]. Then you have Sylmar-Poly.”

Sylmar beat Poly in five games during the teams’ first meeting, but Poly swept the Spartans the second time around.

Poly outside hitter Gaby Gallardo has been sensational in the playoffs.

Sylmar counters with middle blocker Kassy Jimenez and setter Sandra Smiley, last year’s 3-A player of the year.