From STAFF REPORTS Two Pasadena schools are one win each from reaching their sport’s biggest game. And what makes it even more compelling is both Westridge and La Salle could face off Saturday in the CIF-SS Division 3 title game if they both win Tuesday night. The Lancers (25-5) will travel to Newport Beach to […]
From STAFF REPORTS
Two Pasadena schools are one win each from reaching their sport’s biggest game.
And what makes it even more compelling is both Westridge and La Salle could face off Saturday in the CIF-SS Division 3 title game if they both win Tuesday night.
The Lancers (25-5) will travel to Newport Beach to take on Sage Hill (25-8) at 6.
The Tigers (25-4) host Sierra Canyon (31-7) at 6.
La Salle got a bye in the first round as the Division 3 top seed, and then went on to sweep both Arcadia and Yorba Linda to reach this spot.
La Salle won the Del Rey League championship without even dropping a set.
They are led by a multitude of players, including Tori Ashkinos, Vanessa Ramirez, Claire Forrest, Sofia Sanchez and Sophia Anderson.
Westridge, the undefeated Prep League champions, also cruised through league play.
The Tigers have playoff wins over Cajon and then consecutive road victories at Burroughs and Laguna Beach.
Allison Martinez, Makana Meyer, Eryn Boken and Krystal Raymundo are all critical if the Tigers are to upset the Trailblazers.
Martinez, Meyer and Boken are a trifecta of seniors, who are part of the best two-year run in school history, including back-to-back Prep League titles.
The winners of both semifinals will meet at a time to be determined Saturday at Cerritos College.
Regardless of what happens Tuesday or Saturday, both La Salle and Westridge are believed to be already qualified for the CIF State Tournament.
Quotable:
Westridge coach Otto Lacayo: “We have to play to our strengths and be mentally resilient. They’re going to make big plays, so we just need to make a ton of little ones. We will have to put together a complete game. I know we’ll have fun competing with the defending champs.”
La Salle coach Tiare Tuitama: “We have to shut down their outsides. They jump high and hit hard, and they are pin heavy. Their setter is active in the front row.”
CIF-SS Division 3 Semifinals
La Salle (25-5) at Sage Hill (25-8) (Newport Beach) at 6
Sierra Canyon (31-7) at Westridge (25-4) at 6
