Spring Sports Update

Casey Miller pitching for the Breakers. After a pair of tough five-game regular season match losses, Laguna bounced back rolling through the annual 20-team University Tournament this past weekend.

On Thursday, March 4, the Breakers lost at Newport 21-25, 25-18, 25-23, 24-26, 7-15 especially tough as the Breakers twice gave up six-straight points to close out two different games that appeared to be won by Laguna. In game four, Laguna was serving match point at 24-20 and could not close it out forcing a fifth game. Breakers came out listless and dropped the contest despite dominating most of the match. Travis Woloson and Scottie Chapel each had 14 kills. Laguna hammered the Tars with 11 net blocks for points.

On Friday and Saturday, the Breakers gained confidence and bench play as they went undefeated in the two-day tournament. Laguna hammered San Juan Hills 25-14, 25-21, La Quinta 25-6, 25-10, Aliso Niguel 25-17, 25-21, and William S. Hart, 25-11, 25-12, during pool play. In the playoffs, the Breakers easily took Laguna Hills 25- 16 and Beckman 25-19 to set up the championship match with Claremont, ranked No. 6 in Laguna’s CIF Division.

Scottie Chapel hammered out 34 kills in leading Laguna to the University Tournament title and was named tournament MVP. Photos by Robert Campbell Laguna played an exceptional match against Claremont, winning game one 25-18 with Troy Donenfeld serving the losers off the court with two different fivepoint runs. Woloson was six for six in kills and Reed Thompson went five for five off exceptional sets by Robbie McKnight. Game two was more of the same with Woloson going five for five as the Wolfpack could not match the Laguna firepower.

Laguna faced Mater Dei yesterday for their only action this week and travel next week to Corona del Mar on Tuesday for their annual meeting. Laguna holds a 29-20 series lead with the Sea Kings.

Next weekend is the 37th Orange County Tournament with all the top teams participating in this year’s 16-team D-I bracket. Laguna has not made the finals since 1995, finishing third in 1998 and 2004. Laguna has nine tournament titles and has played in the finals 14 times, most of any Orange County school. Boys Baseball ( W 1 , L 2 )

Breakers opened their 71st baseball season last Friday at Skipper Carrillo Field hosting Cerritos in the annual Newport Elks tournament.

Casey Miller pitched a one hitter for four innings with Keaton Jones, Alex Iannotti and Chris Paul in relief as Laguna prevailed 5-1 over the Dons. The tournament play continued on Saturday as Laguna lost a 3-2 pitching duel to Savanna. Breakers had only two hits in that game by Chris Paul and Robbie McInerny. Mike Maxsenti pitched five strong innings in the loss. On Monday, Laguna lost 10-2 to Orange. Chris Paul hit a solo home run in the losing effort as the Panthers extended their dominance over Laguna to 23-4 in the series history.

Breakers concluded their play in the tournament this past week. This is the 15th season Laguna has opened the schedule in this tournament. The 12-game Orange Coast League play opens March 19.

Boys Golf ( W 1, L 2, 1-0 OCL)

Breakers only win last week was huge as Laguna defeated Estancia 201 to 215 in a duel match played at Aliso Viejo on Wednesday, March 3, to open league play. Estancia’s Jake Knapp shot a 35 to lead all golfers with Laguna’s Mike Cannan leading the Breakers with a 37.

The Eagles were league champs in 2007 and shared the league honors with Laguna the past two seasons. The 2010 season threat appears to be Calvary Chapel, which recently edged Estancia in match play.

Laguna also lost two non league matches last week, defeated by San Clemente (187- 200) and Aliso Niguel (222-230). Breakers faced Costa Mesa in league play this past week.

The 2010 boys golf squad: Mike Cannan, Mike Hay, Andrew Palmer, Tim Peterson, Charles Hewlet, Beau Bourne, Anthony Klimek. Clay Steel, and Coach Scott Finn.

Boys Tennis ( 0-2)

Breakers lost two matches last week with a 17-1 defeat at Palos Verdes and at Santa Barbara.

Last weekend, the Breakers were at the California High School Tennis Classic in Fresno where Laguna dropped tournament matches to Los Gatos, Mission, and Piedmont before beating Dana Hills. The abbreviated tournament matches by CIF regulations do not count in the season record. The grueling non-league schedule continued this past week with Corona del Mar and Sage Hill on the docket. League play opens March 23.