A challenging pre-league schedule came to an end for the Live
Oak High boys volleyball team with a win against Santa Clara and a
loss to Oak Grove this week.
A challenging pre-league schedule came to an end for the Live Oak High boys volleyball team with a win against Santa Clara and a loss to Oak Grove this week.
On Tuesday this week, the Acorns downed Santa Clara 27-25, 25-6, 25-14, and on Thursday the Acorns fell to Oak Grove 27-25, 25-8, 14-25, 25-19.
Live Oak was led by Chris Deem and Royce Newcomb in both matches.
Going into next week’s Tri-County Athletic League opener against Palma on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Live Oak, Coach James Uthes said his team is playing well. The Acorns compiled a 3-2 record in non-league play.
“We did okay, I think the guys are ready,” Uthes said. “Oak Grove’s a good team so I don’t mind losing.”
Uthes said Palma and Monterey are expected to challenge the defending champion Acorns for the top spot in the TCAL. Last season, Live Oak went undefeated in league play.
LO boys tennis
Despite battling several key injuries that have devastated its chances to compete for a league title, the Live Oak High boys tennis team improved to 3-2 in TCAL dual meets with a 6-1 victory over host North Salinas on Tuesday and a 5-2 win over visiting Gilroy on Thursday.
Against the host Vikings, the Acorns got wins in three of the four singles matches, including No. 1 Chris Laskodi’s 6-1, 6-1 victory, No. 3 Casey McElroy’s 6-1, 6-3 win and No. 4 Ryan Alexander’s 6-0, 6-2 triumph.
Live Oak also won all three doubles matches, including wins by the No. 1 team of Tadon Christopher and Robert Ferrando, the No. 2 team of Jacob Haim and Kayvon Kheymehdooz, and the No. 3 team of Robert Frey and Casey Shenkelberg.
Against the visiting Mustangs, Live Oak won two of four singles matches, then pulled away with its usually strong doubles play. Live Oak took all three doubles matches, including a forfeit at No. 3.
Singles winners for Live Oak included Eric Matsumoto at No. 2, and Timothy Bouchette at No. 3. No. 1 Laskodi lost his match.
Doubles winners for the Acorns included the No. 1 team of Christopher-Ferrando, and the No. 2 team of Alexander and Jacob Pflafker.
After drawing one of its largest turnouts in years, the Acorn boys tennis program has struggled to keep its players on the court so far this season, according to Live Oak coach Ignacio Herrera.
Projected No. 1 singles player Nick Matsumoto injured his ankle before the season started and hasn’t played a match yet.
Projected No. 3 singles player Bill Watson also suffered an injury and is out for the season.
And, possible No. 6 singles player Eriuc Macias is also battling injury.
“We went from a very, very good team to an average team in the blink of an eye,” Herrera said.
Live Oak was scheduled to host Gilroy on Thursday.
LO rugby
Defending Skyhawk Conference champion East Palo Alto handled the visiting Live Oak High rugby club team by a 35-0 score on Saturday.
Despite the loss, the Acorns got solid efforts from senior fullback Parker Koser, sophomore wing Dustin Muhn and junior No. 8 Curtis Giacalone.
Live Oak is scheduled to play at Los Altos today.
The Acorns will play their next home match against Silicon Valley on Friday, March 19 at 6 p.m. at Britton Middle School.
