Live Oak will host Gunn in the first round of the playoffs on
Wednesday.
Live Oak will host Gunn in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday.
Although the Acorns are seeded No. 9 in the Division 1 Central Coast Section playoffs and Gunn is seeded No. 8, Live Oak received the first-round home game because of the Tri-County Athletic League title it claimed by going undefeated. The Titans placed third in their league behind Palo Alto and Homestead.
“The girls practiced really well today,” said Live Oak coach Tony Vasquez after the morning run through Monday. “We’re upbeat, and everyone’s positive. We’re looking pretty good.”
The Acorns had another light practice this morning. The two teams met early last year in the Palo Alto tournament in a game Live Oak won.
“These are two different teams,” Vasquez said. “We just have to play our game. They are going to be excited and have butterflies because it is a CCS game. They have to be composed and be relaxed. If we play our game like we have the last few games, except the last one, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to go on.”
The Acorns are coming off some injuries, but should be at full health. Jennie Moton is coming off an ankle injury but participated in the practice Monday. Others coming off injuries are Gina Estrada, Jenae Pimentel and Christina Adames.
Vasquez called up a defender and forward from the JV team to give them a taste of the playoff experience although he said they probably wouldn’t play much.
Live Oak was seeded about where expected, Vasquez said.
“I expected to be right there in the middle,” Vasquez said. “I actually don’t like to have the first-round bye because then you have too much time off.”
If the Acorns win on Wednesday, they will face No. 1 Santa Teresa in Salinas Saturday at noon.
“We have played them enough times, so I don’t really need to scout them,” Vasquez said. “We are not looking past anyone. Gunn played in a pretty tough league, and they did pretty well.”
