SPORTS

Leland boys’ volleyball cruises to 3-0 win over Gunderson

Senior Scott Lucas leads with nine kills; Chargers 4-0 in league play

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Leland boys’ volleyball team continued its fast start in league play with a 3-0 win over Gunderson on March 16.

Leland’s Kevin Kashanian tips a ball over the net during the Chargers’ 3-0 win over Gunderson on March 16. The win improved the Chargers’ league record to 4-0. Photos by Jeff Frazee

The win—a 25-9, 25-20, 25-10 decision—improved the Chargers’ record in Mt. Hamilton Division play to 4-0, good for a first-place tie with Leigh. The Chargers also improved their overall record to 11-3.

Leading the way on offense for the Chargers was senior outside hitter Scott Lucas, who recorded nine kills. Sophomore Seth Anderson also contributed mightily on offense, recording eight kills in the win.

The promising start in league play is no surprise to Leland Head Coach Jason Hilbert, who said he has his eyes set on a larger prize.

“We have our sights set on another league championship, so we’re just going to go match by match, and do what we’re supposed to do,” said Hilbert. “We’ve just got to take it one at a time. It doesn’t matter if it’s Gunderson, Leigh or Willow Glen. We’ll take them as they come.”

The Chargers took advantage of several Gunderson passing errors to cruise to easy wins in games one and three. The lone exception was a close 25-20 win in game two that saw the Grizzlies continually battle for points.

With an early 12-5 Leland lead, the Grizzlies chipped away at their deficit, putting together a 7-3 scoring stretch to get within 3 at 15-12. Soon after, with Leland up 18-14, the Grizzlies got even closer with a short 4-2 run to get within 2 points of the lead at 20-18 before the Chargers closed things out, outscoring Gunderson 5-2 in the final stretch to take the 25-20 win.

Leland sophomore Seth Anderson goes skyward for a tip during a 3-0 win over the Grizzlies on March 16. Anderson finished the game with eight kills.

Despite the win, Hilbert said he was disappointed in his team’s performance during game two.

“Sometimes we don’t take ourselves seriously or our opponent seriously,” said Hilbert. “They paid a price for not being focused in the match. They played down to the level of their competition and it showed.”

Game three saw the Chargers go back to form, taking an early 12-6 lead on a pair of Gunderson passing errors as well as a pair of kills from Leland outside hitter Kenny Tran.

After a Leland passing error cut Gunderson’s deficit to 12-7, the Chargers put together their lengthiest run of the night, an 8-0 scoring run that saw kills from Tran, Anderson and Lucas to put the game out of reach at 20-7.

“Scott’s an all-around player, and when it comes down to it, he’s a leader,” Hilbert said of Lucas. “He leads by example and he leads by his words. He’s a dominant force. He can basically do whatever he wants on the volleyball court, and that’s what you like to see out of a volleyball player. He makes everyone around him better, and he cares about other guys playing well too.”

Also getting in on the scoring act was senior setter Boris Sanchez, who managed to record three kills in the final game, as Leland outscored Gunderson 5-3 the rest of the way for a 25-10 win in game three.

Hilbert said although Sanchez is usually the team’s setter, he can also break out with some offense when the situation calls for it.

“Boris has the skills to pay the bills,” Hilbert said jokingly. “He played outside in club (Hilbert’s off-season club volleyball team, Central Coast Volleyball), and he’s really talented. Being a setter, you don’t always get to show off your all your skills, but he’s an all-around player. He’s great. He can play a lot of positions on a lot of teams, he just happens to be our setter.”

Sports Briefs

Almaden Valley Storm Class 1, U16, holds soccer tryouts
Almaden Valley Storm, a boys’ U16 Class 1 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between Aug. 1, 1990 and July 31, 1991. Tryouts will be held after the high school season ends. Call Jay Vyas at (408) 997-0812 or Dave Gold (408) 997-7775 for details.

Tryouts for Almaden Valley Storm Class 1, U13
Almaden Valley Storm, a boys’ U13 Class 1 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1994. Tryouts will be held at normal practices, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Steinbeck Middle School. Call Mike Reickerd at (408) 268-7576 or Dave Gold 408-997-7775 for details.

BVAL Golf Tournament set for May 8
The Blossom Valley Athletic League will host the BVAL Golf Tournament on May 8 at the Almaden Golf and Country Club. All proceeds from the event will go to BVAL member schools’ athletic programs. Players’ fees are $200 per person, and sponsorship packages are also available for interested parties.

Check-in time and lunch for the event begins at 11 a.m., with players set to tee off at 12:30 p.m. Dinner and a silent auction follows the tournament. For more information about the BVAL Golf Tournament, please call (408) 265-5409.

Almaden X-treme soccer players needed
Almaden X-treme soccer team, a Girls U15 Class 1 team, is looking for players. The team took second place in league last year and is looking for players in all positions. Birth dates need to be Aug. 1, 1991 through July 31, 1992. If interested, contact Bob Spaletta 371-8687 or taxhound@aol.com.

Almaden Valley Storm Class 1 U11 soccer team needs players
Almaden Valley Storm, a boys’ U11 Class 1 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is looking for players born between Aug. 1, 1995 and July 31 1996.  Call Mike Reickerd at (408) 268-7576 for more details.

Boys’ U13 competitive soccer team seeks players
A boys’ U13 competitive soccer team is looking for player to come and try out for the 2006 spring and fall soccer team. All practices and home games are in Blossom Valley.

Contact Laura Ino at (408) 224-2298 for more information.

Almaden Valley Girls Soccer seeks keeper
Almaden Valley Girls, a U11 Class 1 soccer team in Almaden Valley, is seeking a keeper born between Aug. 1, 1994 and July 31, 1995. Contact Dave Gold at (408) 997-7775 for more information.

Almaden Valley's All Star Cheer Team ‘Cheer Divas’ hosts cheerleading tryouts
The Cheer Divas program is holding tryouts for the 2006-2007 season on Wednesday April 26 from 7:30-9pm at Almaden Valley Gymnastics. For more information, call (408) 592-1595 or visit www.CheerDivas.com.

High School Sports Schedule

*Note: for baseball and softball, only varsity games are listed because of space constraints. All JV games are played at the opposite site of varsity at the same time, unless otherwise noted

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity baseball at Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.
Friday – Swimming at Evergreen, 3 p.m.
Friday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Menlo, JV 5 p.m./varsity 4 p.m.
Friday – Varsity boys’ lacrosse at Carmel Tournament, time TBA

Monday – Varsity boys’ lacrosse at Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.
Monday – JV boys’ lacrosse at Stevenson, 4 p.m.

Tuesday – Varsity Golf vs. Branham, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – JV golf vs. Pioneer at Almaden Golf and Country Club, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ volleyball vs. Leigh, JV 6 p.m./varsity 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Gunn, JV 5 p.m./varsity 4 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity softball vs. Santa Teresa, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Badminton vs. Evergreen, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis vs. Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Varsity baseball vs. Westmont, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ lacrosse vs. Woodside, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Varsity golf vs. Branham at Almaden Golf and Country Club, 3 p.m.
Thursday – JV golf vs. Pioneer at Santa Teresa, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity softball at Westmont, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ tennis vs. Leigh, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ volleyball at Westmont, JV 6 p.m./varsity 7 p.m.
Thursday – Badminton at Andrew Hill, 3:30 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Friday – Varsity baseball vs. Willow Glen, 3:30 p.m.
Friday – Swimming at Independence, 3 p.m.
Friday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Gunn, 4 p.m.

Monday – Varsity Golf vs. Santa Teresa, 2 p.m.

Tuesday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Castilleja, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ volleyball vs. Branham, JV 6 p.m./varsity 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis vs. Westmont, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity softball at Westmont, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – JV golf vs. Leland at Almaden Golf and Country Club, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – Badminton at Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday – Varsity golf vs. Santa Teresa at the Villages, 3 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity baseball vs. Leigh, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday – Varsity softball vs. Mt. Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ volleyball at Willow Glen, JV 6 p.m./varsity 7 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ tennis at Prospect, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.
Thursday – Track vs. Del Mar, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Badminton vs. Live Oak, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Swimming vs. Piedmont Hills, 3 p.m.
Thursday – JV golf vs. Leland at Santa Teresa, 3 p.m.


For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics:
www.phsathletics.com

Leland Athletics:
www.lelandathletics.com

Blossom Valley Athletic League:
www.bval.org

For more complete and up to date schedules on CCS playoffs, go to:
www.cifccs.org

High School Scoreboard

March 14
Leland boys’ volleyball 25-13, 20-25, 25-13, 25-12 win at Pioneer
Leland tennis 6-1 win at Leigh
Leland badminton 11-4 win vs. Silver Creek

Pioneer golf 212-219 win vs. Leigh
Pioneer badminton 12-3 win vs. Branham

March 15
Pioneer baseball 16-1 win at Westmont
Pioneer girls’ lacrosse 9-8 win vs. Menlo-Atherton

March 16
Leland girls’ track 90-35 win at Lincoln
Leland boys’ track 73-54 win at Lincoln
Leland badminton 11-4 win vs. Oak Grove

Pioneer boys’ volleyball 28-26, 25-18, 19-25, 21-25, 15-11 win at Oak Grove
Pioneer badminton 9-6 loss vs. James Lick
Pioneer girls’ track 64-63 loss vs. Willow Glen
Pioneer boys’ track 81-46 win vs. Willow Glen
Pioneer girls’ swimming 97-86 loss vs. Santa Teresa
Pioneer boys’ swimming 104-72 win vs. Santa Teresa
Pioneer girls’ lacrosse 12-2 loss at Menlo School

March 17
Pioneer softball 2-1 win at Evergreen

Mt. Hamilton volleyball rematch sees Leigh top Pioneer once more

Longhorns keep pace with Leland for first place in league standings

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Mt. Hamilton Division rivals Pioneer and Leigh squared off for a second time this season in boys’ volleyball action, and brought about the same result as the first time – a 3-0 win for the Longhorns on March 21.

Pioneer’s Taylor Luebkeman led the Mustangs with 10 kills in a 3-0 home loss to Leigh on March 21. The Mustangs dropped to 2-3 in Mt. Hamilton Division play. Photos by Jeff Frazee

Pioneer, which lost its’ league opener to the Longhorns on March 2 by a 3-0 score, never gained the momentum it needed in the rematch, dropping three straight games by scores of 25-13, 25-10 and 25-11. Meanwhile, Leigh continued its’ league dominance to date, improving to 5-0 in league play and 11-3 overall, placing the Longhorns in a tie for first place with undefeated Leland. Mike Downs led the Longhorns with nine kills, while Taylor Luebkeman led the Mustang with 10 kills.

“The guys are playing well,” said Leigh head coach Rob Karr. “We played a tournament this past weekend, the Harker Tournament, and had a bunch of really tough matches. So, it’s kind of nice for the guys to have a match that isn’t so high pressure.”

For the young Pioneer Mustangs, the loss was a building block to making a better overall team for the future, head coach Howard Gibson said. The Mustangs, with just one senior on the squad, dropped their record to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in league play. Gibson said despite the loss, positive developments are being made with several key players on the squad as the season progresses.

“Leigh is a better team,” said Gibson. “I told the guys that the first time we played them, I was upset because they weren’t getting to the ball. Now I do have some guys that understand where the ball’s going to be. They got to them, but the hits Leigh put down were better than ours, without a doubt.”

Leigh’s Mike Downs led his team with nine kills during a 3-0 win on the road over Pioneer on March 21. The win allowed the Longhorns to keep pace with undefeated Leland for first place in the Mt. Hamilton Division.

The improvement in play on Pioneer’s side since the first match-up of the season did not go unnoticed by Karr either.

“Pioneer’s coming along,” said Karr. “(Taylor Luebkeman) is a really good hitter. They just need to be able to pass the ball to him.”

Gibson said he came into the season, having committed for two years as the head coach, that 2006 would see its fair share of growing pains, considering the relative youth and inexperience on the squad. Gibson, who said after the league opener that his team is capable of playing .500 volleyball this year.

“There are going to be better teams, and there are going to be teams like ourselves, that are middle of the road,” Gibson said of his team’s experience on the court this season. “We are still a junior team. We did beat Oak Grove last week (on March 16), which was a big win for us. It made us feel a lot better. …Like I said before, if we can get in that general 8-8 or 10-6 type of record, we will have a very successful year. But Leland’s going to beat us, and Leigh’s going to beat us. They’re the two better teams, and I can live with that.”

Meanwhile, Karr said Leigh is looking forward to facing Leland, currently tied for first with the Longhorns, on March 28. Karr said both teams have their similarities, namely big hitters, and predicted that the match-up will likely turn out to be a slugfest between the two Mt. Hamilton Division powerhouses.

“It’ll prove to be an interesting match on Tuesday (March 28) at Leland,” Karr said. “Obviously, it would be a huge win for us, to be able to win there and take a lead (in the division) back to our school.”

Almaden X-treme heads to Section Championship with weekend victories

By Todd Murakami
X-treme coach
Special to the Times

The Almaden X-treme NJB sixth grade girls’ basketball team had two goals before the season began: to win the Section Championship tournament and to go to Los Angeles and compete in the National NJB tournament.

The Almaden X-treme, front row, seated, left to right: Courtney Lisowski, Savae Harper, Jennah George, Emily Griffith, Emily Sklar; back row, standing, left to right: Assistant Coach Tyler Murakami, Head Coach Todd Murakami, Jessica Marshall, Lindsay Allmon, Stephanie Maniglia, Katie Foreman, Aly Murakami, Lauren Kuechle, Ashley Cancilla and Assistant Coach Frank Lisowski.

With Saturday’s 41-24 win over Gilroy/Morgan Hill, they accomplished both, also becoming the only Almaden team (boys or girls) to win a Section Championship. On the road to the title, the Almaden team avenged losses to the only two teams to beat them during the regular season, Gilroy and Berryessa.

In Saturday’s title victory, the X-treme was led by Courtney Lisowski, who scored 16 points (12 coming in the first half) and Jessica Marshall, whose 13 points included three 3-pointers. Also playing pivotal roles were Savae Harper and Emily Skar, whose rebounding and defensive efforts limited the high scoring Gilroy team to just 4 second-half points.

Almaden’s second game was against a tough Berryessa group, but Lauren Kuechle’s 10 points, Jennah George’s post defense, and contributions from Lindsay Allmon and Ashley Cancilla were key in a 36-29 win. Aly Murakami added 8 points, but it was her stellar point guard play throughout the tournament that was extremely important to the X-treme teams’ title run.

The Almaden group opened the tournament with a solid 34-17 victory over West San Jose. Marshall’s 13 points and overall play compensated for the loss of Emily Griffith (the team’s second leading scorer and rebounder), who missed the first two games of the tournament because of illness. Katie Foreman and Stephanie Maniglia’s ball-hawking defense caused problems for the West San Jose group.

The X-treme will now compete in the upcoming NJB National Championship tournament in Los Angeles.

Chargers come from behind for 5-3 win over Saints

It was a thumbs-up kind of day for the Leland baseball team, which scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to come back and beat the Santa Teresa Saints 5-3 on March 15.

Leading the way for the Chargers was Alex Todd (at right), who went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and three runs batted in, including a hit that later proved to be the game-winner, putting the Chargers ahead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Leland third baseman Kevin Battipede (below right, pictured with Todd giving the thumbs-up sign) also went 2-for-3 in the win (Leland baseball2).

Starting pitcher Danny Dyer picked up the win, allowing just five hits and two runs while striking out eight batters. Right-handed reliever Andy Micko then closed out the win by striking out three batters to pick up the save in the top of the seventh inning.

The win over Santa Teresa improved the Chargers’ record in the Mt. Hamilton Division to 4-0, good for first place in league standings.

Photos by Kevin Jones at www.johub.com

Stealth win 14-13 over Calgary, in three-way tie for first place

The San Jose Stealth took a 14-13 win over Calgary at the HP Pavilion on March 18 in National Lacrosse League action, improving their overall record to 5-4.

With the win, the Stealth moved into a three-way tie for first place in the West Division, along with Calgary and Colorado.

Leading the way for the Stealth was veteran Gary Rosyski, who scored four goals and recorded three assists in the win. Also contributing on offense was Jeff Zywicki (No. 9, pictured) with three goals and two assists.

The Stealth led throughout the first half, which included a 7-goal outburst in the first quarter before settling for an 8-5 lead at the half. Calgary struck back quickly however, outscoring San Jose 5-1 in the third period for a 10-9 lead, before the Stealth tied things up again with a 4-3 scoring edge at the end of regulation.

In overtime, the Stealth sealed the win, getting an unassisted goal from Rosyski to take a 14-13 decision.

Photo by Ron Stenn at www.actionphotodesign.com

Leland hurler Truan baffles batters in three straight games

Chargers look toward league run in softball action

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Given her recent performances it’s safe to say that spotty weather perturbed Leland senior hurler Vanessa Truan more than anyone in the Almaden this past week.

Third year Leland softball coach Joe Gron says the sky is the limit for the Chargers in 2006. "It all depends on how hard the girls want to work," he said.

After exploding onto the softball scene with an amazing and unlikely three consecutive no-hitters to open the 2006 season—she struck out 36 batters, blanking Santa Clara 5-0, Wilcox 6-0, and Evergreen 2-0, along the way—Truan’s rhythm was marred by Mother Nature.

The Chargers missed two games due to rain and the returning second-team all-league performer received little offensive support versus Carlmont, to whom the Chargers fell 2-0, on Saturday.

The loss spoiled Truan’s record, dropping it to 3-1.

Yet, hopes are high for the 2006 Chargers, who return first team all-league shortstop Christina Saenz, second-team all league catcher Jessica Talaugon, and senior third baseman Ashleigh Adams, who led the Chargers with a .556 batting average through the first three games.

“It’s a good group of girls athletically,” said third year Coach Joe Gron, who led Leland to first round CCS playoff action a year ago. “If this group shows up and works hard everyday, we are going to have a great season.”

Leland returns seven starters in all from last season, when the group finished fourth in the Mount Hamilton Division, good for the Division II playoff slot.

Senior Vanessa Truan threw three consecutive no-hitters to open the 2006 campaign. She struck out 36 batters along the way.

“Every athlete on this team can contribute,” said Gron. “There is a great core coming back and the defense is very strong. I think if we can find consistency on offense, we can play with any one. We just need to find a way to score runs every game.”

Senior outfielder Quianna Sanchez and Saenz will provide Truan with run support, according to Gron. Sophomore first baseman Elisa Vye has also shown that she will contribute this season, batting .375 through the initial three contests.

As for Truan, Gron described her effort as nothing short of amazing.

“Softball is a pitcher-oriented sport,” he said. “If you have a good pitcher, you are going to be in every game, and Vanessa is just that.”

Truan possesses a broad arsenal of pitches, aided by Division I maturity and control, said Gron.

“She has been working hard for a long time,” he said. “She has power and great control of her junk pitches. It’s rare to even throw a one-hitter at this level, and she actually did do that last season. But to throw three no-hitters, here, to start off the season—that’s one of those things that you are going to remember forever. It’s the first time I have ever heard of it.”

According to Truan, practicing long hours at the field or wherever she and her father could find space to throw, helped develop her skill.

Leland outfielders practice calls in the outfield during an ad-lib practice session in place of their game versus Mount Pleasant High on Tuesday. The game was cancelled due to weather.

“I have been playing softball since I was 5,” she said. “My dad would take me out a lot and work with me at the field. If it was too late or getting dark, we would go throw on the tennis courts at Leland, under the lights.”

Truan also utilizes a private pitching coach.

“He works with my spins,” she said. “I tape a line on the ball and warm up with it before the game. I look at where the line’s going and how it’s moving from when it leaves my hand. It goes around like a globe.”

If the line is cutting air in clear, clean revolutions, the fundamentals are working properly, said Truan.

“Everything was working really well on the days I threw no-hitters,” she said. “I really concentrated and had confidence in my team and we gave it all we had.”

Leland girl swimmers splash first

Charger boys and girls win versus Westmont in swimming opener

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Four Leland girls logged CCS qualifier times in the initial week of the Chargers’ 2006 swimming schedule.

Leland is expected to challenge for Mount Hamilton Division titles in both boys' and girls' swim action this season. Coach Mike Monsees says both teams are approaching personal records early in the season thanks to a realigned practice schedule, where varsity boys and varsity girls swim simultaneously, rather than breaking it up by gender. Photo by Justin Petersen

Tina Rebels, Emily Chortek, Cassandra Scott and Courtney Monsees saved suspense, posting times that assure them lanes at the year-end CCS finals meet in May, after hammering Westmont 119-51 in a Mount Hamilton Division dual meet on Saint Patrick’s Day and securing an unprecedented third place finish at the Saint Francis Invitational over the weekend.

The boys also rained on Westmont, swimming to a 100-70 victory.

“We haven’t qualified this many kids this early at Leland in years,” said Charger Coach Mike Monsees, who heads both boys’ and girls’ varsity squads. “We were the highest scoring public school at Saint Francis—third overall, above all other private and public schools. That’s the highest Leland has ever finished in that meet.”

While individual achievement flooded news last week, the reigning three-time MHAL Champion Chargers are perhaps more gifted as a unit. Monsees sites depth and a hyper competitive realignment in practice routine as buoys to the Chargers’ goals.

“Westmont won plenty of firsts the other day,” he said. “But we took second, third and fourth. Our depth is really our strong point.”

Monsees enters his eighth year leading the boys; however, this will be his first with the girls after taking over for long time friend and Coach Mike Haake.

“We realigned it like it was 10 years ago,” said Monsees. “I took over varsity for the girls and boys, and Eric Rise is going to coach the junior varsity. It’s great. The intensity of the workouts has picked up a whole bunch. It seems like we’re spending less time giving basic swim and turn lessons, and spend more time working on speed.”

Monsees said both girls’ and boys’ teams are approaching times they finished with last season.

Monsees’ daughter and two-time CCS champion Courtney Monsees anchors the team in talent and virtually every sprint relay. The junior already holds Leland records in the 200 IM, 100-free, 100-fly and 100-back. Only the 500-
free eludes her.

“I just like doing well in races and like improving my times and doing well,” said Monsees of her success in the water. “This year though, we are just where we ended last year, so I think we are going to do really well as a team.”

Senior Tina Rebels is also gifted, according to Coach Monsees. Her qualifying time came in the 200-free event.

“I think we are going to get first in league,” said Rebels. “We’ve gotten it every year and I think that this year we are the fastest we have been in awhile. I think that this year we are really a lot closer because we have been practicing together, this year we have unity. We push each other.”

Monsees also lauded Freshman Ariel Young and Chortek, who he maintains will levy an immediate impact.

“We have a good senior group and junior group, and we picked up two excellent freshmen,” said Monsees. “The depth that we have had before is already developing.”

On the boys’ side, freshman Cheyenne Moizeni shined versus Westmont. He took first in the 200-free and 100-fly events with times of 1:57:83 and 59.64, respectively.

“He is the biggest new asset to the team,” said Monsees.

Monsees also expects Adam LaRochelle, John Pavlovich and Tim Jen to bear burden as the boys’ chase their first title in three years.

“At Leland, there is the tradition of a lot of swimming in the neighborhood growing up,” said Monsees. “It’s always good when it pays off in high school.”

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