With additional reporting by George Laase.
Culver City High School athletic teams spring back into action today.
The seventh-ranked boys volleyball team will travel to Beverly Hills for a 3:15 match and the girls lacrosse team will go to Santa Monica and the boy’ lacrosse team will host Santa Monica.
The 11-8 boys volleyball team will host their own second annual Varsity Tournament on Saturday morning at 8, starting with a match against Leuzinger. On Tuesday they resume Ocean League play at Lawndale at 3:15.
The Varsity Tournament, an all-day event, will feature good high school matches. The tournament will give Culver City an opportunity to work on problems that surfaced during their 3-0 loss to El Segundo last week.
“I am concerned about our defense,” said Coach Joe Manzo. “We still have a chance to win the Ocean League. But we have to relax. We should have fun playing volleyball.”
The 7-10 baseball team will finish their weekend schedule when they take a long trip to the Valley on Saturday to play Granada Hills at 11 in the Chatsworth Tournament.
On Tuesday Coach Rick Prieto’s team is home against the top-ranked team in the league, El Segundo at 3:15.
All-CIF quarterback Lars Nootbar, who plays shortstop, is batting .389 for El Segundo, 12-5.
The 8-5-1 girls lacrosse team is at Marlborough on Monday for a 4 o’clock match.
First-year Coach Liz Vacovec, along with her assistants Cristina Chan and Jackie Turner, is excited about the team. “We are getting better,” Vacovee said. “We have been growing throughout the season.
“I am really impressed with the hard work the girls have put in. We have a young team, and I am hoping they continue to improve.”
Rachel Block and Dana Chung are two of the most improved players. “We are a close group, and we trust each other,” said Block. “When we get trapped, we know who to pass the ball to.”
Chung said playing lacrosse at Culver City “is a lot better this year. Everyone on this team is amazing.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com