Four Moore League teams begin their playoff journeys this evening, at 7pm—and if you believe the rankings, they’ll likely be more like a quick jaunt than am extended trip. Three of the league’s teams will be facing CIF Top 10 teams.
Poly vs. Edison, @ Poly, 7pm
The Poly Jackrabbits’ first reaction to seeing the brackets released on Sunday was likely along the lines of, “Wait…didn’t we win league this year?” Nonetheless, the Jackrabbits have a harder draw than second-place Wilson, since Poly will play host to CIF no. 7 Edison tonight. The Chargers are the no. 3 seed out of the Sunset League, but obviously are of a high caliber; they swept Wilson when they played at Best in the West, swept Los Al three times, and took Newport Harbor to five sets. Given that Poly coach Vuthy Cheav was unsure as to top hitter John La Rusch’s availability (still nagged by that abdominal injury), it could be a tough night for the league champs.
Wilson @ Santa Barbara, 7pm
On the other hand, Wilson, as the two-seed, has a longer drive, but an easier opponent (not that there are any easy opponents in the D-1 bracket). Santa Barbara is the only non-Top 10 team facing a local program this evening. The two-seed from the Channel League behind Dos Peublos, the Dons boast a five-set slugfest victory over Wilson on their tough schedule. They have six players on the roster listed at 6’3″ or taller—and this is the easiest team a Moore League program will face tonight, remember. The Bruins have had issues in the middle at times, and the Dons’ top player 6’8″ junior Cliff Anderson happens to occupy that spot.
Millikan @ Newport Harbor, 7pm
The Rams met coach Greg Kautz’s preseason goal of making CIF, and what do they get but an opening-round match against CIF no. 6 Newport Harbor, a perennial contender and top program? The Sailors took second in the Sunset League behind a surprising Esperanza squad, and they will be a tall task indeed for Millikan, a scrappy team who’s used to being counted out. Newport Harbor has yet to lose to a non-CIF Top 10 team, however, and boast a typical OC roster of size and talent.
Lakewood @ Mira Costa, 7pm
Wow. The Mustangs are ESPN’s no. 2 team in the nation, the top seed in this practice, and a large favorite to win the CIF title. They’re 27-1 and have lost less sets than Lakewood has matches, with a roster that looks more like a D-1 college team than a high school program. If Lakewood pulls off an upset here…well, you can expect to hear about it for a long time to come.