Laguna enters tough tourney

Laguna began its quest for a repeat of its Orange Coast League title last Friday with a 25-9, 25-13, 25-15 sweep of host Calvary Chapel.

Dana Hutchinson had 21 kills and Alex Palmer 24 assists in that win.

On Tuesday, the Breakers moved to 2-0 in league by defeating visiting Costa Mesa, 25-12, 25-13, 25-15.

Laguna travels south today to compete in the two-day Torrey Pines Challenge, considered to be one of the top tournaments in the nation.

The 24-team field will be divided into eight pools and matches will be played at four San Diego-area sites.

The tournament runs through Saturday.

Teams competing include Laguna, hosts Torrey Pines and Cathedral Catholic, Archbishop Mitty, Bakersfield, Bakersfield Christian, Bishops, Carlsbad, Clovis West, Edison, Esperanza, Francis Parker, La Costa Canyon, Long Beach Wilson, Liberty, Marymount, Mira Costa, Notre Dame Academy, San Clemente, Santa Fe Christian, Scripps Ranch, Stockdale, Tesoro and Vista Murrieta.

Mira Costa is ranked No. 1 nationally in the Prepvolleyball.com national rankings.

Laguna is seeded second behind Carlsbad in Pool G which also includes Stockdale.

“It’s one of the best tournaments around,” Laguna Coach Lance Stewart said.

“You have several teams that are highly ranked playing in this thing, and there’s not going to be an easy match.”

Laguna opens the tournament at 5:30 p.m. today against Stockdale at Carmel Valley High.

The Breakers will meet Carlsbad at 7 p.m.

All matches are best-of-five.

Laguna will have a day’s rest before resuming nonleague play Monday (Oct. 15) when it will play a big one: a 5:30 p.m. regular-season showdown that will pit the top two-rated teams in Division II-AA, No. 1 Laguna and No. 2 Corona del Mar, against each other at Dugger Gym.

“That’s going to be a huge match in terms of seedings at the end of the year,” Stewart said in regards to team seedings for the upcoming CIF playoffs in November.

Torrey Pines Challenge

Pool A: Mira Costa, Francis Parker, Bakersfield Christian.

Pool B: Archbishop Mitty, Esperanza, Cathedral Catholic.

Pool C: Vista Murrieta, Notre Dame Academy, Scripps Ranch.

Pool D: La Costa Canyon, Bakersfield, Edison.

Pool E: Long Beach Wilson, Santa Fe Christian, Clovis West.

Pool F: Torrey Pines, Liberty, Tesoro.

Pool G: Carlsbad, Laguna Beach, Stockdale.

Pool H: Bishops, Marymount, San Clemente.

Today’s schedule

5:30 p.m.: Laguna vs. Stockdale

7 p.m.: Laguna vs. Carlsbad