Rejoice! The doldrums of summer are over. A new school year is upon us. And you know what that means: sports, sports, and more sports! The fall is shaping up to be another exciting and competitive season for the local high schools, and the Sun is here to make sense of it all—beginning with this fall season preview. To keep things simple, we picked one team to beat for every fall sport; one player per sport who will be a must-see this season; and one other team that you’d be wise not to sleep on.
FOOTBALL: Lompoc
Player to watch: Toa Taua
The Braves tend to set the standard for football excellence in the area, and this year will be no exception.
Exhibit A: Lompoc head coach Andrew Jones practically scoffed at the team’s run to the CIF quarterfinals last season.
“We had a good year, but it wasn’t great by any means,” Jones said.
Expectations are sky high for this year’s talented group. All eyes are on junior running back Toa Taua. Taua is (and has been since his freshman season) a five-star national recruit, wooing Division 1 college coaches left and right. At 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds, Taua is explosive and tough to bring down. With four offensive linemen also returning for Lompoc this season, the Braves’ running game could be downright unstoppable.
That said, the Braves’ defense may end up determining how far the team advances in November. Linebacker Ruben Cortez and defensive back Dallas Canley bring vital experience and leadership to an otherwise young defensive unit.
“Defensively, we just need guys to step up,” Jones said. “We have a good track record with that. We’re putting all the pieces of the puzzle together.”
Lompoc’s season kicks off with a bang at home against powerhouse Arroyo Grande on Aug. 26. Other games to circle on the calendar are showdowns against St. Joe’s on Oct. 28 and Cabrillo on Nov. 11.
“Our expectations are high,” Jones summarized. “It’s championship or bust.”
Don’t sleep on: St. Joe’s
BOYS’ WATER POLO: Righetti
Player to watch: Ryan Trenev
As back-to-back defending CIF Division 4 champions, Righetti enters 2016 as the team to beat, practically by default, at least until another program proves it can topple the mighty Warriors. Righetti dismantled nearly everyone in their path last year en route to a 22-4 season record and CIF title.
That said, the waters are a tad more turbulent for the Warriors coming into this season, since the team lost all but two starters from their championship roster to graduation.
To add to the challenge of the season, the powers that be recently decided to promote Righetti water polo from Division 4 to Division 1 this year. The move is a testament to their dominant history, but it also presents a serious challenge during a potential rebuilding year.
Decorated co-coaches Rob Knight and Kyle Shaffer will have their work cut out for them in the quest for a three-peat. A lot will be expected of seniors Robert Groppetti, Caleb Sanders, and first-year varsity goalkeeper Derrick Gamberutti. The Warriors will also hope for a breakout season from junior Ryan Trenev.
Don’t sleep on: Santa Ynez
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL: Santa Ynez
Player to watch: Hannah Rogers
Santa Ynez advanced further than any local team in the CIF playoffs last season, going toe to toe with Loma Linda Academy in the quarterfinals after finishing second in the Los Padres League. The Pirates remain the team to beat in the area since most of their key players are returning from last year.
One big piece missing from 2015 is head coach Chip Fenenga, who stepped down. Former JV coach Tom Wright takes the head coaching helm.
The Santa Ynez volleyball program will try to pick up where it left off, which shouldn’t be too hard given the talents of senior outside hitter Hannah Rogers, fellow co-captains Kimberly LaChaine and Brynn Fieldhouse, and other standouts like Emily Taylor, Ketty Totemeier, Jessica Lutz, and Daven Martinez.
In a pre-season tournament on Aug. 19 and 20, the Pirates came away with mixed results, picking up quality wins against San Luis Obispo and Foothill Tech, but losing four times, to San Marcos, La Reina, Camarillo, and Santa Barbara. They open league play against Morro Bay on Sept. 8.
Don’t sleep on: Nipomo
GIRLS’ GOLF: Cabrillo
Player to watch: Baylee Gregory
With Nipomo still reeling from the unexpected loss of nearly half their roster (see Athlete of the Week), Cabrillo girls’ golf is the team to beat in the area this fall.
The Conqs bring back practically all their golfers from last year minus 2015 standout Devan McCune. The team is composed of a gifted and experienced lineup of seniors, including Baylee Gregory, Gabi Delgado, Brianna Gonzales, Aubrey Campfield, and Valerie Adames. Head coach Dave Shroeder is back at the helm.
With Cabrillo’s depth and talent, Shroeder will likely push for a return to the CIF playoffs in November. But he’ll also hope for a better showing once they get there. Last season in CIFs, the Conqs collectively shot a Northern Division-worst 536.
Don’t sleep on: Righetti
CROSS-COUNTRY: Santa Ynez
Player to watch: Emily Donahue
Last season, Santa Ynez boys’ cross-country hoisted a state championship trophy—the school’s first ever. This fall, though, it’s the girls’ turn to shine.
“This is going to be a great year for the ladies,” Santa Ynez head coach David Jackson said.
Led by junior Emily Donahue and senior Abi Sanger, Jackson said the girls are primed for an excellent season. He raved about Donahue, who, despite her multi-sport commitments, stayed determined to improve her fitness and running times over the offseason.
“Emily plays soccer all the time, and it just so happens she’s a phenomenal runner,” Jackson said. “She’s been running diligently, and has incredible maturity. She could be racing all the way through November.”
He said Sanger brings not only speed but invaluable leadership to the equation.
“She has the best attitude,” Jackson said. “Our team leadership is probably coming from her.”
Even though the boys’ team lost four of its five state meet finishers, there’s still plenty to be excited about. Senior Cody Hill returns as well as Arten Borysyuk.
“We’re going to rely on their leadership,” Jackson said. “It’s hard for the guys to compare themselves to last year. That was senior year magic. But there’s a lot of heart on this team.”
The Pirates will be viewed as the team to beat this year, although Jackson expects a dogfight in the Los Padres League this season, which will be fun to watch.
“There’s steep competition this year—it’s no joke,” he said.
Don’t sleep on: Santa Maria
GIRLS’ TENNIS: Orcutt Academy
Player to watch: Amanda Hsiung
With many key players returning and some talented new additions, the Orcutt Academy girls’ tennis team has some high hopes for the fall.
“On paper, I’m pretty excited,” Art Lopez, head coach of the Spartans, said.
Orcutt brings back its core group from last season: seniors Amanda Hsiung, Sarah Lopez, and Naomi Kwon, and sophomore Megan Vise. Those four were instrumental to the Spartans’ 11-3 Los Padres League (LPL) record and a trip to the second round of CIFs in 2015.
“I think we’re going to have a more balanced attack this year,” Lopez said. “We’re going to be as strong in singles as we are in doubles.”
Look for Hsiung to have a big year in singles play. After a MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury confined her to only playing doubles last season, Hsiung is healthy and back to her old self.
“Singles is her first love,” Lopez said. “She’s healthy now and running around like nothing happened.”
Supplementing the Spartans’ roster this fall are European exchange students Georgia Bondino and Liera Perez. Both have exciting potential, but Lopez expects a transition period.
“They’re trying to get used to playing on hard courts instead of clay,” he said.
While Orcutt feels great about its chances, there’s no denying the competition is stiff in the LPL.
“We’re not counting anybody out,” Lopez said.
Don’t sleep on: Santa Ynez
Send your local sports news to Peter Johnson at pjohnson@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Aug 25 – Sep 1, 2016.
