Polo team has key test

This is one of the games that’s circled on the proverbial calendar. And, based on what happened the last time these two teams played, four quarters may not be enough time to decide it.

The Laguna Beach boys’ water polo team is busy preparing for its home nonleague showdown at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against Murrieta Valley. Murrieta Valley is the top-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division III coaches’ poll after beating previously top-ranked Montebello last week; Laguna Beach is No. 4. When the teams met at the Riverside Poly tournament Sept. 19, Murrieta Valley won, 12-11, in overtime.

“We’re excited to play them again at our pool,” Coach Ethan Damato said. “We’ve had some tough losses, some character-building losses, and we feel like we’re a lot better now. I’m excited to see where we are and where we match up with Murrieta at this point of the season.”

The Breakers (10-6) won their second straight Orange Coast League match Wednesday by topping Sage Hill, 22-5. Spencer Dodson had seven goals and Nicky Brunner added four, while David Brunner, Cameron Hauer and Nolan McConnell had two each.

Previously, Laguna Beach had downed Dana Hills on Tuesday, behind six goals from McConnell and five from Dodson. Sophomore goalie Erik Henrikson had a strong game with 13 saves.

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GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

Laguna Beach enjoyed an easy Orange Coast League opener Tuesday, blasting past Godinez, 25-7, 25-7, 25-10, in an away match.

Junior Chanel Stewart had a team-high nine kills, Avery Bush and Haley Wyett had four each and Lauren Capobianco, Taylor Dorse, Mackenzie Hester and Allison Palmer had three each.

Stewart had six service aces, Marina Paul had 13 digs and Palmer dished out 14 assists for the Breakers (5-5), ranked No. 5 in the CIF Southern Section Division I-A coaches’ poll.

Laguna Beach also fell at Newport Harbor in four games, 20-25, 13-25, 25-23, 14-25, on Oct. 1. Paulette Grand Pre had a team-high 17 kills and four blocks.

The Breakers played host to Calvary Chapel Thursday and are at the Steve Lewis Memorial Volleyfest event Saturday at Lakewood High. The Breakers play Long Beach Poly at 3 p.m.

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GIRLS’ TENNIS

The Breakers were on the wrong end of a tough upset loss to Sage Hill on Tuesday at The Tennis Club in Newport Beach. They tied the host Lightning in sets, 9-9, but lost on games, 75-72.

Maddie Jaeger and Taylor Nederlander each won two of three singles sets for Laguna Beach (8-3, 2-0 in league), and Lauren Michaels also won a singles set. But Sage Hill’s Julia Blakely was too tough, sweeping in singles. In doubles, the No. 2 team of Claire Jaeger and Bianca Sganga won two of three sets played. Both the No. 1 doubles team (Haley Moss and McKenna Nokes) and the No. 3 doubles team (Alison Azera and Lia Berger) won a set each for the Breakers.

Laguna Beach is tied for 10th in the latest CIF Southern Section Division I coaches’ poll, while Sage Hill is the No. 2-ranked team in Division IV.

The Breakers had matches at Palm Desert on Wednesday and Estancia on Thursday. They next face Costa Mesa at home Tuesday in an Orange Coast League match.