CITYWIDE — All three Santa Monica-based boys' volleyball teams kept their championship hopes alive with first round CIF-Southern Section playoff victories on Tuesday night.
Santa Monica knocked off Whittier Christian in straight sets, 25-18, 25-15, 25-19, at home in Division 3 play. Also in Division 3, Crossroads made quick work of Mark Keppel, 25-15, 26-24, 25-20, also at home.
Across town, Pacifica Christian closed out its first round match in straight sets at home. The Seawolves dispatched Waverly, 25-22, 25-14, 25-19.
Pacifica Christian advances to host Arrowhead Christian in a Division 5 match today, Thursday, at 7 p.m. The match will be held at Crossroads on 18th Street.
Both Crossroads and Samohi will hit the road today for the second round.
Samohi travels to Yorba Linda, the winner of the Empire League. Crossroads heads for Loara. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
Samohi baseball earns share of Ocean League crown
Samohi baseball secured at least a share of the Ocean League championship Tuesday with a 3-1 win at rival Culver City.
The two teams square off again today at Samohi in the league finale.
If Culver City wins the road game it creates a flat-footed tie for first place. If that transpires, a coin flip will decide the No. 1 seed from the league when it comes times for playoff pairings.
"I'm happy for the kids," Samohi head coach Kurt Schwengel said. "They were shell-shocked last year to not be champions."
Culver City swept the final two games of the season last year to send Samohi to a rare second place finish in league.
Samohi ace Conner Greene is slated to start the finale, but Schwengel said that an abdominal injury may sideline him. If Greene can't take the mound, fellow senior Ryan Barbarin may be asked to make the start.
"We're not terrified at the thought of Conner not starting," Schwengel said. "Ryan has been getting better and better every time he goes out there."
Barbarin has been used as a relief pitcher for much of the season when he's not manning third base.
Samohi softball takes title — again
For the ninth year running, Samohi softball is the champion of the Ocean League.
An 11-0 win over Morningside at Memorial Park on Tuesday improved Samohi to 9-0 in league and was the 89th consecutive league victory.
Samohi closes out the season today at Memorial Park against Culver City. The game begins at 3:15 p.m.
Rugby squads move on to finals
A trio of Santa Monica Rugby Club teams were victorious in playoff semi-final games last Saturday setting up appearances in the finals this weekend at Cal State Fullerton.
The under-18 team reached the finals with a 36-22 win over Hawaiian Gardens at Webster Middle School in Malibu.
The under-16 squad took to the road, also against Hawaiian Gardens, and came away with a 27-22 win.
In under-14 play, Santa Monica sent San Clemente packing with a 41-25 win.
The U-14 team advances to face Santa Clarita on Saturday at 11 a.m. At 2 p.m., the U-16 team faces the Young Aztecs. Rounding out the day will be the U-18 team against the Mustangs.
For more information, visit www.santamonicarugby.com.
Samohi coach shares screen with Sheen
Samohi assistant baseball coach Tony Todd is set to make an appearance on longtime friend Charlie Sheen's FX show "Anger Management" today at 9:30 p.m.
Todd, who splits his time between coaching and acting, has been a frequent cast member this season.
Sheen is a longtime supporter of the baseball program at Samohi. He's given tens of thousands of dollars to the team he was once a part of during his high school days.
daniela@www.smdp.com
