The CIF-Southern Section released its preseason girls volleyball and boys water polo polls Monday and there were a number of notable rankings for Patch teams from around the West San Gabriel Valley.
In girls volleyball La Cañada and La Salle begin the year at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively.
For the Spartans, a high spot in the polls is nothing new. They rolled to another undefeated season in the Rio Hondo League and finished the year 30-4. Their season came to an abrupt end in the Division 2AA playoffs, however, as Oaks Christian topped the Spartans 3-2.
La Cañada's season begins Sept. 5 against Mayfair.
La Salle won its first ever Del Rey League title with an 8-0 record last year and advanced all the way to the semifinals of the Div. 2AA playoffs.
Arcadia begins the year ranked No. 8 in Div. 2A. The Apaches went 15-0 in the Pacific League last year and lost to Downey in the Div. 2A quarterfinals.
In boys water polo, La Cañada and South Pasadena are the lone Rio Hondo League teams to earn a preseason ranking. The Spartans are No. 6 in the Div. 3 poll, while the Tigers are No. 9.
Crescenta Valley starts off the year ranked No. 7 in Div. 5.
CIF-Southern Section Preseason Coaches Girls Volleyball Rankings (area teams in bold):
Division 2-AA: 1. St. Lucy's; 2. Chino Hills; 3. Oaks Christian; 4. La Cañada; 5. La Reina; 6. La Salle; 7. South Torrance; 8. Riverside Poly; 9. Bishop Montgomery; T-10. Claremont; T-10. Mission Viejo; Others: None.
Division 2-A: 1. Downey; 2. Troy; 3. Whittier Christian; 4. Palm Springs; 5. Bonita; 6. Adolfo Camarillo; 7. Diamond Bar; 8. Arcadia; 9. Walnut; 10. La Habra.
CIF-SS Preseason Coaches Boys Water Polo Rankings (area teams in bold):
Division 3: 1. Laguna Beach; 2. Damien; 3. AlisoNiguel; 4. Capistrano Valley; 5. Mira Costa; 6. La Cañada; 7. Palos Verdes; 8. Peninsula; 9. South Pasadena; 10. Tesoro; Others: None.
Division 5: 1. La Serna; 2. Pasadena Poly; 3. Bonita; 4. Palm Springs; 5. Walnut; 6. Glendale; 7. Crescenta Valley; 8. Chadwick; 9. Palm Desert; 10. Hoover; Others: None.Tig
