High School Roundup: Thaxter earns upset

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Pacific Coast League individual tournament

IRVINE — Corona del Mar High sophomore Lauren Thaxter had her best day of the season Tuesday, advancing to the singles semifinals at Beckman High.

No. 6-seeded Thaxter defeated Shreya Kumar of Northwood, 8-3, in the opening round. She then upset No. 2-seeded Krystal Lai of University, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 (tiebreaker) to advance to Wednesday’s semifinals.

Thaxter plays No. 3-seeded Chloe Pham of Northwood in the semifinals Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., needing a win to qualify for CIF Individuals.

CdM freshman Riley Gerdau and junior Olivia Laws are alive in the singles back draw. The CdM doubles team of seniors Savannah Thies and Catherine Keligian is also alive in the back draw.

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GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

Sage Hill def. Crean Lutheran

NEWPORT COAST — Senior middle blocker Zoe Kreitenberg produced 13 kills, three blocks and five digs, helping the Lightning to a share of the Academy League title with a 26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 25-16 victory on Tuesday.

Sage Hill (18-6, 9-1 in league) split the league crown with rival St. Margaret’s for the third time under Coach Dan Thomassen. The Lightning learn Saturday of their seed in the CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA playoffs.

Natasha Sakraney finished with 12 kills and 10 digs for Sage Hill, ranked No. 3 in Division IV-AA.

Alayna Lewis contributed five kills, 12 digs and six assists.

Maggie Danner had nine kills and Maddy Abbott 40 assists.

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Newport Harbor def. Fountain Valley

FOUNTAIN VALLEY — Kasey Thompson had 11 kills and two aces to help the Sailors to a 25-12, 25-12, 25-20 Sunset League win Tuesday.

Claire Castillo had six kills, Allison Schelin had five kills, Torey Thompson had 21 assists and one ace and Tatum Norton had five digs and two aces for Newport Harbor (21-8, 6-4 in league), ranked No. 6 in the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA poll.

The Sailors finished third place in league. Playoff pairings will be released Saturday.

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GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Academy League finals

ORANGE — Junior Sophia Witte finished third in 20 minutes, five seconds, leading the Lightning to their second Academy League title in five years at Irvine Regional Park on Tuesday.

Sage Hill finished with 32 points, followed by St. Margaret’s (57) and Whitney (68). The top three teams in league advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division V preliminaries at Mt. San Antonio College on Nov. 12.

“It was a really good day,” said Coach Nate Miller, whose Lightning are ranked 12th in the CIF Southern Section Division V poll. “They ran near their best times.”

Sage Hill’s Brittany Andressoo placed fourth in 20:54. The rest of the team’s runners were Naomi Granados (sixth, 21:06), Caroline Grant (eighth, 21:21) and Lili Mora (11th, 21:53).

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BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Academy League finals

ORANGE — Senior Jack Percival finished 10th in 16 minutes, 36 seconds, helping the Lightning finish third in the Academy League finals at Irvine Regional Park on Tuesday.

Sage Hill, ranked sixth in the CIF Southern Section Division V poll, qualified for the CIF Southern Section Division V preliminaries at Mt. San Antonio College on Nov. 12.

St. Margaret’s won the league title with 17 points and Crean Lutheran was second at 58.

Sage Hill’s Chris Andras finished 11th (16:41), followed by teammates Dylan Thies (13th, 16:58), Ryan Fishel (19th, 17:26) and Alexis Michaca (24th, 18:18).