Excitement builds in volleyball playoffs

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers YES, YOU DID—Thousand Oaks High players, from left, Molly Hall, Karina Alofaituli and Kat Luft celebrate a point during Tuesday night's CIF-SS Division I-AA first-round match against Peninsula. Playing at home, T.O. won in three games (27-17, 25-19 and 25-21). This season, the girls' volleyball teams at Thousand Oaks, La Reina and Viewpoint went undefeated in their respective leagues. It's great, and it deserves a big pat on the back, but it also doesn't mean much now.

Regular-season records we're thrown out the window as the CIFSouthern Section girls' volleyball playoffs began this week.

In the Division I-AA bracket, Thousand Oaks opened the postseason by winning its match in three games Tuesday night at home against Peninsula.

The Lancers (22-3 overall, 14-0 in the Marmonte League), ranked fifth in the Division I-AA coaches' poll, travel to Rosary tonight for a second-round matchup.

Thousand Oaks head coach James Park has already formed a game plan for Rosary.

"I had a chance to watch them play a little at the Redondo tournament earlier this year," Park said. "They're a very scrappy team, and they have an opposite hitter (Nicole Favreau) that can hit from just about anywhere on the court. Stopping her will be key for us."

Since Park took over the girls' squad in 2006, TOHS has won 41 of 42 league games. Unfortunately for the Lancers, Marmonte League success hasn't translated into postseason glory.

Last year, TOHS lost in the second round of the Division IAA playoffs to Redondo.

"The big thing for us the last couple years has been trying to get out of the second round," Park said. "Hopefully we can do that this time.

"I thought we distributed the ball very well against Peninsula, and we weren't predictable. If we can have a balanced attack like that again, we should be okay."

Newbury Park, the third seed from the Marmonte League, lost Tuesday night at Orange Lutheran. NPHS ended the season with a 17-10 record.

In the Division II-A bracket, La Reina begins its postseason tonight at home against West Valley. The Regents earned a bye in the first round after going 14-1 overall, 12-0 in the Tri-Valley League.

West Valley defeated Arroyo Valley on the road Tuesday night.

Oaks Christian, the second seed from the TVL, beat Hueneme at home Tuesday in three games. OCHS senior Brina Clark registered 25 digs.

"We had a lot of the first playoff game nerves going against Hueneme, but other than that I thought we played well," Oaks Christian head coach George Hees said.

"Our passing was there all night, and Tara Robinson had a good night serving for us with seven aces."

After winning a coin flip, Oaks Christian will host California at home tonight. Hees is hoping the Lions' home crowd is a factor.

"Our team needs to play with more passion and energy than we did against Hueneme," Hees said.

"Hopefully people will come out and pay the seven bucks to cheer us on. I know the football team usually supports us. Hopefully they can continue to be real loud for us."

Oak Park defeated Paloma Valley on the road Tuesday and will host Camarillo. Oak Park is 13-6 overall.

In the Division IV-AA bracket, Viewpoint hosts Kaiser tonight after earning a bye in the first round. Viewpoint went undefeated in the Liberty League with an 8-0 record. Kaiser, the No. 2 seed from the Sunkist League, defeated Riverside Christian to advance.

Newbury Park Adventist beat Calvary Baptist in the first round and will face Pacifica Christian on the road tonight.

Hillcrest Christian of Thousand Oaks won at home against Southwestern Academy in the first round. Hillcrest Christian plays tonight at home against Trona, which beat Pacific Lutheran in the first round.

Postseason matches typically begin at 7 p.m. Times can be confirmed by visiting the website www.cifss.org.