This is the fifth of eight consecutive Looking Back editions in which the News-Press reviews the area’s 2006-07 seasons, school by school. The following is a recap of small schools Glendale Adventist Academy, Holy Family and Renaissance Academy.
Some of the smallest schools in the area distinguished themselves with some big athletic accomplishments during the 2006-07 high school season.
There were some teams that entered the season with high expectations and lived up to them. Others snuck in under the radar and rallied upstart programs to new heights.
The Renaissance Academy boys’ basketball team continued its recent streak of excellence with a third straight CIF finals appearance, while squads such as the Holy Family girls’ and Glendale Adventist Academy boys’ volleyball teams pulled off historic runs to the playoffs.
There was heartbreak along with the triumphs. The Wildcats once again came just one game shy of an elusive championship, and some breakthrough forays into the playoffs for other teams proved to be short lived.
Senior athletes such as multi-sport standouts Jasmin Viray of Holy Family and Andrew Poon of Glendale Adventist Academy left with seasons to remember them by. New arrivals like Holy Family pitcher Jena Rae Serranzana forecasted good things to come.
All the while, the Wildcats’ starting five, led by All-CIF junior Justin Cook, developed into arguably the most well-rounded and balanced in the area as a whole, with none of its members departing via graduation.
The following is a chronological recap of local small schools’ athletic highlights:
Sept. 21, 2006 — Behind Yna Rodriguez’ 15 assists, the Holy Family volleyball team sweeps San Gabriel Mission to open Horizon League play with a win.
Oct. 26, 2006 — On the team’s senior night, Joanne Lacson and Jasmin Viray lead Holy Family volleyball to a sweep of seventh-ranked (Div. IV-A) league rival Alverno.
Nov. 6, 2006 — On the heels of a 12-9 season and second-place finish in the Westside League, the Glendale Adventist Academy girls’ volleyball team sweeps Apple Valley Christian at home in a wild-card match of the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA playoffs.
Nov. 7, 2006 — Holy Family volleyball sweeps St. Genevieve in the first round of Division IV-A playoffs for the program’s first-ever playoff win.
