HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Boys’ tennis team wins title

The Laguna Beach High boys’ tennis team wrapped up the Orange Coast League championship Wednesday by defeating host Estancia 11-7.

The win marked the third time in as many league matches that Laguna has defeated Estancia by an 11-7 score.

The Breakers improved to 8-0 in league and 10-5 overall behind a sweep at No. 2 doubles by the team of Noah Michelson and Graham Unterberger. The No. 1 doubles team of Ben Biscarrat and Jared Berkson won the two sets they played.

In singles action, No. 1 Jake Michaels and No. 2 Benito Romeo, both freshmen, won two of three sets. Each picked up key wins over senior Bradley Fisher, Estancia’s top player whom Laguna Coach Jonee Earl said hadn’t lost in previous league action.

“I’m very proud of the boys,” Earl said. “Our doubles have just been unbeatable this year and our singles have gotten stronger as the year has gone on. Jake and Benito both picked up huge wins over Fisher.”

In previous league action Monday, Laguna blanked Costa Mesa, 18-0, and swept doubles play in defeating Calvary Chapel, 13-5 on April 17.

Biscarrat and Romeo are playing doubles up north at the long-running Ojai Tournament that runs through the weekend.

The Orange Coast League championships will begin Tuesday with singles play at Alta Laguna Park and doubles play at Laguna Beach High. All finals will be played Wednesday at the high school.

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Boys’ volleyball

The Laguna Beach boys’ volleyball team picked up another win in nonleague action against St. Margaret’s, 25-17, 25-14, 25-20, Wednesday.

The night before, they suffered an unexpected 16-25, 25-18, 17-25, 22-25, 18-20 loss to Calvary Chapel in Orange Coast League play, which dropped the Breakers from No. 3 to No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section Divison II poll.

It was a missed opportunity that all started with a missed bus.

Laguna Beach High starters Clay Knappand Jake Killiandidn’t make it to the boys’ volleyball team’s bus in time for departure, which according to school rules, meant they weren’t permitted to play.

To make matters worse, another Laguna starter, Mike Kahl, sprained his ankle only four points into the first game and was out for the remainder of the match.

Laguna Coach Lance Stewart had to scramble for changes against the Eagles. He put in Travis Wolosonas the back-up setter, and Scottie Chapelplayed opposite hitter for the first time this year.

Stewart said despite the substitutions and confusion about where players should be positioned, the team started the first game with energy and confidence, but then began to fall through on a number of plays.

“We had some opportunities to come back in a few games.” he said. “We were lacking in court intelligence and did not make the necessary decisions on the court to execute skills most efficiently.”

The Breakers won the first game by a long shot, before the Eagles came back in the second game to beat them. Laguna came up with a huge win in the third game, but it just couldn’t make the plays to finish the win.”

Cooper Gwaltneyand Shawn Merzhad 17 and 16 kills, respectively. Chris Reameshad 26 digs, and Woloson recorded 53 assists for the Breakers.

Kahl is expected to play in the next league match on Friday against Costa Mesa. If the Breakers win, they will be guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

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Baseball

The Laguna Beach baseball team suffered its third loss to Calvary Chapel this season in Orange Coast League play on Tuesday, 2-6.

“This was a big game for us as far as league standings go, and we didn’t compete,” Laguna coach Jeff Sears said. “We practiced hard and prepared well, but it didn’t show tonight.”

Although Laguna again struggled to drive in runners on base, they did execute some key defensive plays that prevented Calvary from scoring additional runs, including a putout in the second inning which knocked the Eagles out with all bases loaded.

It could have been a bigger loss.

“We had some good plays, but baseball is a game of little things,” Sears said. “They did all the little things, and we didn’t.”

Dalton Sypeand Will Burkeeach batted in one run. On defense, Casey Millerhad six putouts, and Zach Nunostruck out four.

With only five league games ahead of them, Sears said the Breakers are relying on “prayer” to keep them in standings for the playoffs.

He said the team has exuded more confidence with each game throughout the season, and he hopes they’ll continue to remain confident in themselves in the upcoming games.

Laguna will take on Calvary Chapel again at 3:15 p.m. today at Orange Coast College.

The Breakers are now 3-4 in league play.

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Track & Field

Four runners from the boys’ and girls’ track and field teams combined competed in the Orange County Invitational on April 19 in Mission Viejo.

Yann Pannasietook first place in the 1,600 meters in 4 minutes, 25 seconds, a new personal record. Maggie Newton-Nealalso ran the 1,600 in 5:31, earning fifth place. Tommy Newton-Nealcame in 29th place in the 800 with a time of 2:05, and Nikki Clarkplaced 15th in 300 hurdles in 48.0, setting a new school record for Laguna Beach.

Both teams will compete in the Orange Coast League preliminaries at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at Orange Coast College.