Villanova Prep soccer on the rise
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Villanova senior Nicolas Maulhardt slices his way through the Coast Union High School defense en route to a five goal performance.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
For the first time in more than three years the Villanova Preparatory School boys’ soccer team has earned a victory. After losing a close battle to a tough Foothill Tech team 1-0, the Wildcats rebounded with a dominating 11-0 win over Coast Union.
Nordhoff Rangers volleyball rakes in postseason honors
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff’s Ashley Johnson (right) recently early All-CIF and Citrus Coast League Most Valuable Player honors after helping the Lady Rangers to a 34-4 record this fall.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
When you go 34-4 and make it to the CIF State Finals, postseason honors are likely to follow. That is the case for the Nordhoff High School girls’ volleyball team. They Lady Rangers recently wrapped up a historic season and for their efforts, a number of players and head coach Rene Nakao-Mauch were honored by the Citrus Coast League and CIF Southern Section.
Thacher falls in CIF final
Photo courtesy of The Thacher School
After start its season with a 2-3 record, the Thacher School football team snuck into the playoffs. The team then caught fire and ripped off four consecutive wins to earn a spot in the eight-man Division 1 CIF Southern Section finals.
Casitas Rowers show well in San Diego
Photo submitted
The Casitas Rowing team recently attended the San Diego Fall Regatta and had great success. One of the entries for the men’s freshmen four earned gold for the Ojai Valley team. The winning team was composed of (left to right) Coach Eric Gillett, Zeph Castel, Jacob Coolman, Max Arce, Noah Peterson and Gus Weiners.
Nordhoff volleyball ends season 34-4
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
One of the best Ojai sports stories in recent years has been the play of the Nordhoff High School girls’ volleyball team.
VPS girls' basketball off to 3-2 start
The Villanova Preparatory School girls’ basketball team will return five girls from last season’s squad that took third place in the Frontier League. First team all-league junior and current co-captain Mackenzie Hicks, second team all-league junior Coral Jae, and honorable mention and current co-captain center senior Cheryl Sun will be the core group looking to help VPS challenge for a league title this winter.
Thanks for giving
Photo submitted
The Nordhoff football team shows off their new shoulder pads earlier this fall. Thanks to the generosity of a single community member, the entire team was able to suit up in new pads this season.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
When Nordhoff High School football coach Lance Wiggins was taking inventory of the program’s football equipment over the summer, he had to ask himself if the Rangers could even safely suit up a team for the 2019 season. With pads and helmets older than some of the players on the team, Wiggins was concerned and the program’s budget was not going to be able to absorb the high cost of new equipment.
Frisina named Physical Education Student of the Month
Photo submitted
The Rotary Club of Ojai recently honored Beckett Frisina, a fifth-grader at Topa Topa Elementary School, as the Physical Education Project Student of the Month. Frisina was presented a check for $300 for his great efforts in tennis as well as other sports.
Villanova Prep earns big water polo win over Pacifica
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
The Villanova Preparatory School girls’ water polo team earned a solid 13-6 victory over the Pacifica Tritons last week on the VPS campus.
Rangers lose in second round to top-ranked El Monte
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The 2019 season came to an end for the Nordhoff football program last Friday night when the Rangers lost to the top-seeded El Monte Lions 60-12 in the CIF Southern Section Division 12 playoffs. The Lions jumped out to an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter and that lead quickly swelled in the second quarter. El Monte eventually went into the half leading 32-0.
Nordhoff volleyball marches to state final
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
The Nordhoff High School volleyball celebrates its 3-1 victory over the St. Bonaventure Seraphs. The Lady Rangers will play Aptos High School for the state title Saturday at Santiago Canyon College.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
Presenting the Southern California State Regional Championship medals to his student-athletes after Tuesday’s thrilling, two-hour, 3-1 victory over St. Bonaventure, Nordhoff principal Dave Monson was visibly proud. The NHS student body was celebratory, and the parents circling the court looked relieved. Meanwhile, the Lady Ranger players who had just battled to defeat the Seraphs still wore that look of resolve.
Nordhoff varsity volleyball team plays for regional state title today (Tuesday, Nov. 19) at home at 6 p.m.
Photo by Tom MooreNordhoff Ranger Kolbe Fink up high about to hit on far side.
Nordhoff varsity girls volleyball plays St. Bonaventure at home today Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. for the regional state title.
There is an entrance fee of $9 for adults and $5 for students.
Rangers earn first playoff win since 2013
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff quarterback Leeram Stoneman threw five touchdowns to propel the Rangers pat Glenn High School in the first round of the playoffs.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
For the first time since 2013, the Nordhoff High School football program got to celebrate a playoff victory when they defeated the Glenn Eagles of Norwalk 56-24 in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division 12 playoffs.
No. 1 seed awaits Nordhoff in round two
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff's leading tackler this season has been sophomore Zac Sheets (No. 23). Sheets and the rest of the NHS defense will need to step up if they hope to defeat top-seeded El Monte Friday night on the road.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff football team will make the drive south Nov. 15 to take on the El Monte Lions in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 12 playoffs. El Monte earned the top seed in the division after going 10-0 in the regular season and they cruised to a Mission Valley League title. In their opening round game, the Lions took down Ocean View High by the score of 60-21.