Mater Dei Ready For Its Rematch

Smarting from its three-game thrashing at the hands of Santa Margarita in their last Serra League meeting, Mater Dei, ranked eighth in the county, hosts the top-ranked Eagles in a rematch Thursday.

Last week, Mater Dei took over sole possession of second place in league with a three-game win over Bellflower St. John Bosco. It was the team’s first match since the April 5 loss to Santa Margarita.

Mater Dei, led by setter Mike Gazzano, opens the week hosting Servite tonight. Also tonight, Santa Margarita, with Princeton-bound outside hitter Blake Robinson, plays at St. John Bosco.

In the Empire League at 4 today, first-place El Dorado, led by David Patten and Nick Lehnert, plays at second-place Century, led by Chris Ferreti. El Dorado won the first meeting, 16-14, 15-9, 6-15, 15-11.

And with the postseason only two weeks away, many of the top teams in county will travel to play at the Redondo Union tournament or Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions this weekend.

If you have an item or idea for the boys’ volleyball report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at: mike.itagaki@latimes.com

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BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL TOP 10

Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll

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Pos. School League Record 1. Santa Margarita (1) Serra 10-0 2. Foothill (2) Century 7-1 3. Fountain Valley (3) Sunset 6-2 4. Capistrano Valley (4) S. Coast 8-0 5. Irvine (5) Sea View 8-1 6. Newport Harbor (6) Sea View 4-4 7. Marina (7) Sunset 11-1 8. Mater Dei (8) Serra 6-3 9. San Clemente (9) S. Coast 5-3 10. Edison (10) Sunset 5-5

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