Battle of Simi Valley Finally Turns in Boys’ Volleyball

The sense of relief might have been greater than the victory late Wednesday when the visiting Simi Valley boys’ volleyball team ended 16 years of frustration -- 32 losses in all -- with its four-game victory over Simi Valley Royal. It was Simi Valley’s first victory against its city rival since the series began in 1987.

Sean Kelly had 15 kills and setter Nathan Metcalf finished with 44 assists and 16 digs as the Pioneers (9-0, 7-0 in league), ranked seventh in the Southland by The Times, maintained a one-game lead in the Marmonte League race over Westlake Village Westlake.

“Finally,” said second-year Coach Peter Piexoto. “We got them for the first time.”

Royal, the perennial kingpin of volleyball circles in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County region, had dominated the Marmonte League until this season when its 112-match winning streak was ended by Westlake. Against Simi Valley, Royal fell behind 2-0 in games. The Highlanders battled back to take the third game, but Simi Valley closed out strong for an 18-16, 15-10, 5-15, 15-6 victory, giving it neighborhood bragging rights until the teams meet again on May 7.

“A lot of these kids on both teams went to the same elementary schools and junior high schools,” Piexoto said. “Some of them play on club teams together.”

Piexoto said that several former Simi Valley players came to the match in hopes of watching history.

“There’s a bit of relief,” he said.

-- Paul McLeod

The Saugus girls’ swim team ended more than a winning streak Wednesday. The 94-76 victory stopped Newhall Hart’s perfect run through the Foothill League since it was formed in 1983.

Saugus set a school record in the opening 200-yard medley relay and sophomore Lizette Patterson clinched the victory with another school record in the 100 breaststroke. Patterson, senior Lauren Kristensen and freshman Melissa Bowers won two races each.

Kalie Boggio, Patterson, Kristensen and Krista Elias won the opening relay in 1 minute 54.47 seconds, breaking the previous record by seven-tenths of a second.

Saugus took a comfortable lead after Bowers and junior Kellianne O’Neill took first and second in the 500 freestyle. Patterson then broke a 9-year-old school record in the breaststroke with a winning time of 1:07.35.

-- Dan Arritt

South Torrance has hired alumnus Josh Waybright as football coach.

He played at Butte College in Chico, graduated from Long Beach State in 1998 and was defensive coordinator at Harbor City Narbonne last season. He also has assisted at Lakewood and South Torrance.

Waybright replaces Don Jureau, who resigned after one season. Waybright has selected former Redondo coach Chris Hyduke as his defensive coordinator.

Bob Costa of Santa Fe Springs Santa Fe has been chosen to receive the Gib Dear Award as the outstanding assistant football coach, the Southern California Football Coaches Assn. announced.

Costa, who graduated from Whittier High in 1985, is Santa Fe’s running backs coach. He was nominated by Coach Jack Mahlstede, who credited Costa with helping the Chiefs (10-3, 5-0 in league) win the Del Rio League title and make it to the Southern Section Division VII semifinals.

“[Costa] is an exceptional motivator and extremely dedicated,” Mahlstede said.

-- Dan Loumena

Mike Ford of Los Alamitos has resigned as girls’ basketball coach to concentrate on getting a master’s degree. Ford will remain a math teacher on campus.

-- Martin Henderson

Soccer player Tim Sachs of Newhall Hart has signed with Cal State Northridge and volleyball player Jenna Carney, a 5-foot-8 junior setter at Mission Hills Alemany, has committed to Cal State Fullerton.