Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

In earning a playoff berth out of the Mission League for the first time since 2002, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy tennis Coach Ron Zambrano said the Tologs reached their ultimate goal. While the Tologs' stay in the postseason lasted one round, Zambrano wasn't disappointed. He sees it as a major stepping stone in shaping the program's future. “I've begun to see them play to their potential,” Zambrano said Wednesday after Flintridge Sacred Heart suffered an 18-0 road loss against third-seeded University in a CIF Southern Section Division I first-round match.

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE - For all the peaks and valleys the members of the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy volleyball team has encountered this season, there's been one constant that's worked in their favor - mastering the defending league champion. The Tologs proved it once earlier and had a second opportunity to showcase their skills and try to conquer powerful Sherman Oaks Notre Dame again on Thursday night. The chance wasn't squandered, perhaps leaving the door slightly ajar to grab a possible at-large playoff berth.

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE - Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy volleyball Coach Ernest Banaag couldn't fault the effort turned in by his team Tuesday night. While it's been a process throughout the season with respect to the Tologs showing improvement, Banaag said it's been tough seeing them lose the close games. “They want to win so bad, and, when you lose the close games, you feel bad for them,” Banaag said after Louisville defeated host Flintridge Sacred Heart, 25-21, 25-23, 26-24, in a Mission League match.

ENCINO - With two of its top athletes out of the lineup because of a previous engagement, the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy cross-country team found itself in a tough spot Thursday afternoon during the second Mission League meet at Woodley Park. The Tologs were without Gabby Fitzpatrick and Noëlle Niederhaus, leaving coach Kirk Nishiyama to hope they could still pick up no worse than a third-place finish. With Maddie Peterson on board, the short-handed Tologs met Nishiyama's goal.

The following are updates on local athletes at the collegiate level. Jenna Orlandini (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, 2008) senior libero, University of Washington volleyball : For the first time since 2006, the Huskies knocked off two top-five opponents in consecutive matches in No. 4 UCLA and third-ranked USC. Orlandini posted a season-high 22 digs in the five-game win over the Bruins, 22-25, 30-28, 19-25, 28-26, 16-14, Sept....

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE - With an already hectic schedule consisting of academics and running for the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy cross-country team, Maddie Peterson has enough time to squeeze in playing on the school's volleyball team. It's helped her become more organized, along with becoming a better all-around volleyball player on a team looking to turn the corner and get back to the playoffs after missing out last season. Peterson showed that she's got plenty of energy left to handle her responsibilities on the court, as she notched 12 kills to help Flintridge Sacred Heart register a 25-17, 25-15, 22-25, 25-13 home win against Alemany on Thursday night in a Mission League opener for both teams.

The following are updates on local athletes at the collegiate level. Katie Johnson (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, 2012) freshman, forward, USC women's soccer : Johnson and the Trojans completed the nonconference portion of their schedule Sunday with a 3-2 home loss against Portland, which is ranked 19th in the nation. Johnson, a former All-Area first-team honoree, provided some offensive pop for the Trojans (3-4-1). Johnson scored a pair of second-half goals to help USC knot the match at 2. After Portland took a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute, Johnson then scored in the 61st and 67th minutes before Portland scored the winning goal about two minutes later.

PASADENA - There aren't many worries when the singles players on the Westridge tennis team step on to the court. Maral Tavatian, Lena Tavatian and Erin McDonald each bring experience and composure, something that's given the rest of the Tigers assurance that they have a legitimate opportunity to win the majority of their matches. It proved to be the case once again Monday afternoon, when Westridge met visiting Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in a nonleague match at Muir High.

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE - It's expected the first couple of weeks of the season will be a time for the members of the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy volleyball team to make adjustments. After missing the playoffs last season, the Tologs decided to restructure the program. In stepped first-year coach Ernest Banaag, who led Mayfield to three straight CIF championships between 2008-10. For Banaag, the beginning of the season will be a time for tinkering with lineups and learning the strengths and weaknesses of the Tologs.