Division 4AA competition remains tight among Catholic school teams heading into the final stretch of league games before the CIF-Southern Section playoffs commence in November.
Last week, La Reina continued its winning ways by getting past St. Bonaventure in an Oct. 16 battle of Tri-County League leaders, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18. The Lancers’ win stretched their unbeaten streak to 11, making them 17-5 overall and 7-0 in league play entering this week, while the Seraphs are 5-2 in league, 11-3 overall.
St. Paul (23-6, 4-0 in the Camino Real League) played in the Nike Tournament of Champions Oct. 17-18 in Chandler, Ariz. The Swordsmen were still ranked second in the Oct. 20 CIF-SS Division 4AA poll, ahead of La Reina (third), St. Bonaventure (fifth) and St. Anthony (eighth, 16-4 overall, 3-1 in Camino Real League).
In Division 2A, top-ranked Louisville maintained its Sunshine League leadership by beating Alemany Oct. 16 in straight sets. On Oct. 21, the Royals (17-7, 3-0) played at Immaculate Heart while Alemany (14-6, 3-1) played at Chaminade.
The Division 1AA matches coming up figure to be tight, with Mater Dei (ranked third, 19-10 overall) playing Santa Margarita (ranked seventh, 25-4) twice this week in Trinity League action. The Monarchs came out on top in their Oct. 11 contest.
Also in 1AA, fifth-ranked Marymount (11-6, 2-0 in the Mission League) outlasted Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (8-8, 2-2) last week, and takes on sixth-ranked Flintridge Sacred Heart (13-4, 3-1 heading into an Oct. 17 non-league game against Calvin Christian of Escondido). Marymount beat the Tologs on Oct. 7.
One of last week’s most exciting matches saw St. Genevieve (7-4, 4-0) get past Mary Star of the Sea (7-6, 3-1) in five sets. Both teams had entered the match unbeaten in the Santa Fe League, where St. Pius-St. Matthias Academy (5-7, 3-1) is becoming a challenger as well.
In Division 2AA, Mayfield (13-7, 5-2 in Prep League play) also competed in the Nike Tournament at Chandler, and resumed league play Oct. 21 against Westridge.
In Division 4A, the Horizon League battle is on between San Gabriel Mission (11-6, 4-0) and Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto (9-2, 5-1). The two teams — both just outside the 4A top ten — meet Oct. 23 in San Gabriel, with Conaty-Loretto looking to avenge an Oct. 7 five-set defeat.
The Del Rey League is led by Bishop Montgomery (10-2 overall, 4-0), with La Salle (10-13, 3-1) right behind. The Knights took their first encounter Oct. 9 in five sets; they meet again Oct. 28 in Pasadena.
St. Monica Academy (10-3-2 overall) leads the International League at 7-0, well ahead of its closest pursuers.
Other sports
A look at the current CIF-SS polls released Oct. 20:
Girls’ Cross Country: The Division 4 poll includes Bishop Amat (1), J.Serra (2), Rosary (4), La Reina (9), Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (10), St. Lucy’s (11) and La Salle (12). Mayfield leads Division 5, Sacred Heart fifth and Pomona Catholic 11th.
Boys’ Cross Country: Loyola continues to be second in Division 1, while St. John Bosco is sixth in Division 3. Division 4 rankings included Bishop Amat (1), J.Serra (3), Cathedral (6), Salesian (7) and Notre Dame/SO (12). St. Bonaventure is sixth in Division 5.
Girls’ Tennis: Santa Margarita is seventh in Division 1; La Reina, eighth in Division 2; and St. Lucy’s, fifth in Division 4.
Boys’ Water Polo: Mater Dei is second in Division 1, followed by Loyola (3), Servite (8) and Santa Margarita (10). In Division 2, Damien is seventh.
