For the first time since 2012, Claremont girls varsity tennis advanced to the semifinals of the Division two CIF Team Championships with a 13-5 win over Long Beach Poly on Monday in Long Beach.

The girls then traveled to number-one seeded South Torrance High School on Wednesday, where they pulled off an extremely narrow victory that came down to counting games. The Pack and the Spartans came out even on sets, 9-9, but Claremont had three more wins on games (86-83) for the victory. The Pack will now play Woodbridge High School in the championship match on Friday morning at 10:30 at The Claremont Club.

Xu to compete in CIF Southern California Championships

Claremont sophomore Kelly Xu finished third overall last week at the CIF Southern Section Finals at Western Hills Country Club. 

Competing in a field of the best 112 golfers from the entire Southern Section, Kelly shot a two over par 74.  The two-time Palomares League champion’s day got off to a rough start as she bogeyed three of her first four holes, but finished the final 14 holes with 13 pars and 1 birdie. 

The result qualified Xu for the CIF Southern California Championship at Brookside Country Club in Pasadena, which took place after press time on Thursday.

CHS boys water polo loses tough match in first round of CIF

Last week Claremont hosted a strong south Orange County team in the first round of the CIF playoffs at Pomona College’s Haldeman pool. The Pack played well, but could not keep up with the El Toro Chargers, who led 5-3 at the half on their way to the 9-6 victory. It was still a great season for Claremont, with a 9-1 Palomares League record and their first league pennant in four years.

“We knew that they [El Toro] were a strong team and we came out passionate and ready to play. Unfortunately, we came up short. We had a great season overall. I was very happy with the team and how much they developed,” Coach Kristin Rodriguez said via email on Monday.

“Our goalies Enrique Roybal and Matteo Velasquez did a phenomenal job. They both had several saves and great passes to their teammates. Enrique ended the game with eight saves and Matteo with five,” Coach Rodriguez said.

Sophomore Zachary Martin led the offense with three goals, followed by senior Seth Eshelman with one goal and two assists. Freshman Davin Castillo had one goal and two exclusions drawn, freshman George Ruby-Unkovich also had one goal and two exclusions drawn. Sophomore Tristen Green had two exclusions drawn.

Claremont Unified School District officials are currently upgrading the pool at CHS, but the reconstruction does not include a new scoreboard. Coach Rodriguez and her team have initiated the task of raising roughly $63,000 for the scoreboard, which will be also be used by the girls water polo team and coed swim teams.

They are seeking any donations through the team’s PayPal account at www.paypal.com/paypalme2/CHSBoysWaterPolo. 

If anyone would like to be a major sponsor, they are more than welcome to contact Coach Rodriguez at krodriguez@cusd.claremont.edu. 

Webb girls volleyball team caps stellar year with trip to final four

The Gauls swept away the competition this season with an 8-0 league record, 27-7 overall, and an Academy League title. The girls then proceeded to dominate in the CIF Division seven playoffs, advancing all the way to the semi-final match where they lost to Garden Grove, 3-2 on November 2.

Webb only lost one set in the first three playoff matches, breezing by Ontario, 3-0, Azusa, 3-1 and La Quinta, 3-0.

In the semis against Garden Grove, Webb lost the first set, 25-14, but came back winning the next two, 25-21, and 25-19. Unfortunately, Garden Grove won the next set, 25-12, and then took the tie breaker, 15-7. The Argonauts lost to Desert Christian Academy, 3-1, in the championship match.

The Gauls’ performance was good enough to qualify for the CIF State Championships, which began on Tuesday. However, Webb lost, 3-0, in the first round to Tri-City Christian.

Webb girls tennis has good run in CIF tournament

Vivian Webb girls tennis snagged a wild card berth into the CIF championship bracket and pulled off a couple of upset victories before losing in the second round.

The team traveled to South Hills for a wild card match last Tuesday, defeating the Bulldogs 12-6 to advance to the regular bracket.

The Gauls were on the road again on Wednesday traveling to Santa Barbara to face the third ranked Laguna Blanca in the first round. Despite a long bus ride, the team played some of their best tennis of the season and upset the Owls, 11-7.

They were rewarded with a home game last Friday against Marshall, which proved to be the toughest match of the playoffs. The two teams tied on sets, 9-9, but Marshall pulled off the win on games, 79-68.

San Antonio coed volleyball has undefeated season

The San Antonio Lions defeated Upland’s Hillside High School, 3-1, recently to claim a league title for local continuation high schools.

During the final game, San Antonio lost the first set but came back to win the next three, according to Coach Tyler Baugh.

The Lions have an 18-player coed squad including one eighth grader and were able to pull off the 6-0 record while still making sure everyone got some court time during each game. In addition to Claremont, the league consists of several high schools from Upland, Pomona and Ontario.

Coach Baugh, who teaches social studies at San Antonio, also leads the football, soccer and basketball programs. Next up for the Lions is flag football, in addition to a field sport tournament including dodge ball and tug of war.

The students had a great season and everyone displayed good sportsmanship, according to Coach Baugh.