Claremont

B.P. Perez CLAREMONT -- After back-to-back losses and back-to-back late buses, the Crescenta Valley High boys' volleyball team's season was ended and all post-season hopes faded as the Falcons were swept by Claremont High, 15-7, 16-14, and 17-15 on Friday during a match for third place in the Pacific League. It was the second day in a row that the bus to pick up CV was an hour late and for the second day in a row the Falcons lost, but this time their CIF playoff hopes went with it. "The bus being late didn't make us hit the ball out or shank a pass," said Crescenta Valley Coach John Nelson.

1918 - 2004 Edward John Kraus, who owned Kraus' Liquor in La Cañada Flintridge for 26 years, died Aug. 12 at the Claremont Manor Care Center. He was 86. Born May 1, 1918, in La Cañada, Ed had lived in Upland for the past 20 years. He had been retired for 27 years. Ed graduated from Muir High School in Pasadena, entered the Army on Jan. 27, 1941, and was honorably discharged at the rank of master sergeant after serving his country as "top" sergeant of his organization in Alaska, among other assignments, for four years.

GIRLS' DIVING Flintridge Prep at Prep League finals: Flintridge Prep's Charlotte Butler finished third at Monday's Prep League diving final at Claremont-McKenna College with a score of 250.4, which met a CIF consideration standard. Teammae Sophie Sikora came in fourth with a score of 175.9, giving the Rebels 23 points going into today's swimming final, also held at Claremont-McKenna College. BOYS' TRACK AND FIELD Flintridge Prep in Prep League preliminaries: The Rebels looked strong in the Prep League preliminaries, which were held Saturday at Claremont-McKenna College.

Hamlet Nalbandyan CRESCENTA VALLEY HIGH -- The jump serve could make it or break it, and for the Crescenta Valley High boys' volleyball team Thursday, it did both. CV lost the first two games against Claremont High, largely due to the fact the serving game wasn't working. But the Falcons raised their level of play and came back to win in five, 9-15, 9-15, 15-9, 15-11, 15-9, in a Pacific League match at CV. One of the reasons the Falcons made such a big turnaround was the jump serve, which not only got the Falcons' intensity flowing, but also fazed the Wolfpack mentally.

Charles Rich Given that spacious Mt. Baldy can be seen from the front entrance of the Claremont High gymnasium, John Nelson insisted that trying to repeat as Pacific League champions won't be like scaling the topographical landmark. In fact, he's not all that worried about climbing back to the top of the league mountain. Nelson, the 16-year Crescenta Valley High coach, analyzed that shortly after Claremont posted a 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-16 league victory against the shell-shocked Falcons on Wednesday.

Students at the Claremont Graduate University's School of Educational Studies soon will be hearing from one of the most veteran voices in California's higher education and political systems. Jack Scott, who is retiring this week as chancellor of California Community Colleges, is to become a scholar in residence at the university for the academic year starting next month, officials announced. Scott, a former state senator for the region and president of two community colleges, is expected to lead classroom discussions, deliver lectures and help launch a certificate program for community college professionals.

Ajalat -- Aparicio Suzanne Ajalat of Glendale and Adam Aparicio of Glendale were married at St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Cathedral. The Father Michel Najm, Father John Reimann and Father Christopher Salamy officiated. The matron of honor was Christiana Ajalat Matarese. The bridesmaids were Marlene Alexander, Nicole Ajalat, Debbie Aparicio, Marie Saba, Joy Saba, Kathy Saba and Michelle Salamy. Eric Aparicio was the best man. Ushers were Deo Michael Singh, Gabriel Flores, Vincent Ongjoco, Verlyn Ongjoco, Michael Ajalat, Richard Ajalat and Christopher Matarese.

Jim Riggio GLENDALE -- If there is a jinx that is following the Crescenta Valley High girls' soccer team, the Falcons should pull off their second consecutive upset in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. CV (17-4-3) will host Claremont High (23-3-1), the defending CIF Southern Section Division I champions today at CV at 3 p.m. The Falcons, who were knocked out of the playoffs by Claremont last year, are coming off of a stunning 2-0 victory over Hart High, after the Indians beat CV 5-1 earlier this season.

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area players at the collegiate level.   Stefanie Chan (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, 2006) Claremont-Mudd Scripps soccer junior : The former Tologs standout has certainly found her groove in Claremont, as she was recently named to the All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first-team. A decorated defender, Chan played and started in 20 of her team’s 21 games, leading the team to eight shutouts.

Hamlet Nalbandyan LA CRESCENTA -- Maybe falling behind by nine points in the third game was the best thing that could have happened to the Crescenta Valley High boys' volleyball team in Thursday's Pacific League match against Claremont High. Because after hitting rock bottom, the Falcons were a totally different team. And even though John Nelson's squad wasn't able to win that third game, the momentum and match was theirs. CV used a 42-16 run that stretched from the third game to the end of the match to top Claremont, 9-15, 15-10, 13-15, 15-6, 15-5, at CV. The win puts CV (8-4, 7-1 in league)