Playoff prowess

Boys tennis, girls beach volleyball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys volleyball jump-start 2026 CIF spring sports playoffs

The San Diego Section’s spring championship playoffs have faced off in boys tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, boys volleyball and girls beach volleyball while other sports — swimming and diving, track and field, baseball, softball, gymnastics and boys golf — find themselves on deck.

It will be a busy month that will spill over to the end of the 2025-26 interscholastic year.

Boys tennis
Seven South County teams qualified for this year’s playoffs: No. 11 Eastlake, No. 12 Mater Dei Catholic and No. 13 Bonita Vista in Division II and No. 1 Otay Ranch, No. 2 Olympian, No. 11 San Yisdro and No. 15 Hilltop in Division III.

San Ysidro (10-8 over El Capitan) and Hilltop (11-7 over Orange Glen) both won play-in matches to advance to bracket play but lost first-round matches — San Ysidro 13-3 to third-seeded Calexico and Hilltop 13-5 to Olympian.

Mater Dei Catholic bowed out early with an 11-7 first-round loss to No. 5 St. Augustine while Bonita Vista pulled an 11-7 upset of No. 4 West Hills in its opening-round match but was eliminated 13-5 in the next round by St. Augustine.

The biggest applause was reserved for Eastlake, Otay Ranch and Olympian as all three Metro Conference teams advanced to championship finals.

Otay Ranch and Olympian met in the Division III final May 1 at the Barnes Tennis Center while, after a string of upsets, Metro-Mesa League champion Eastlake engaged St. Augustine in the Division II final May 2 at Southwestern College.

No. 5 St. Augustine out-dueled No. 11 Eastlake, 11-7, in the match-up of Division II wildcards while top-seeded Otay Ranch edged No. 2 Olympian, 11-7, in an all-South County pairing to round out the Division III bracket.

Overall, four finals were played. In the Division I championship final played May 1 at the Barnes Tennis Center, top-seeded Cathedral Catholic defeated No. 3 Francis Parker, 13-5 while No. 2 Torrey Pines defeated No. 1 Canyon Crest Academy, 10-8, to claim this year’s Open Division title May 2 at the Barnes Tennis Center.

First-round matches took place April 28, followed by quarterfinals on April 29 and semifinals on April 30.

“It was a good week last week,” exclaimed Otay Ranch coach Dan Woodard. “We beat (No. 16) Madison 17-1 in the first round on Tuesday, (No. 8) Fallbrook 15-3 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday and (No. 5) El Centro Southwest 17-1 in the semifinals on Thursday. We had a competitive match against Olympian, which we had beaten us once in the regular season and fortunately pulled it out for Otay’s first-ever team CIF tennis championship.”

It was indeed a memorable milestone for the Mustang Nation.

It was also a return to familiar territory for Olympian, which previously won the Division III championship in 2016 and posted a runner-uo finish in the Division II finals in 2017.

The Eagles advanced to the championship round by defeating Hilltop in the first round, No. 10 Holtville, 11-7, in the quarterfinals and No. 6 Valley Center, 11-7, in the semifinals.

“It was an amazing end to a challenging season where our team only won two matches in the Mesa League,” Olympian head coach Peter Garchie said. “Our team had dramatic improvement through hard work and determination.”

Garchie listed his top players as seniors Ryan Ragucos and Daniel Won and juniors Brisban Samuel and Charlie Careaga. Dani Lainez and Ryan Garchie also helped coach the OHS squad.

Sportsmanship award winners at last Friday’s finals were Otay Ranch’s Roberto Zambrano Jr. and Olympian’s Ragucos.

Top players on Otay Ranch included the Metro tournament doubles championship duo of senior A.J. Abarca and freshman Ryan Valencia.

Woodard said Abarca had a prior commitment so didn’t play in the finals against Olympian but came to support the final matches of the evening.

The stars of the-long team playoffs for the Mustangs were junior twins Ashton and Brady Yeager, who went 10-0 during the week, and freshman Ryan Valencia, who was dominant and went 12-0 with all 12 wins by a score of 6-0.

Valencia did not lose a game all week.

History was spread all over the court.

Abarca, who has a full ride scholarship to the University of Tennessee next year, won the CIF doubles title with his older brother M.J. during his freshman season. Also, during the 2021 COVID season, M.J. Abarca and Valencia’s sister Emely teamed up to win the first and only CIF coed doubles championship.

Woodard said senior captain Ethan Keomany also had a strong week with his play and leadership. The freshman doubles team of Marcus Hung and Sean Lee each won all their matches during the week

Junior Matteo Duenas won the league singles tournament while Valencia and Abarca were league doubles champions.

The younger Abarca brother will join the Vols for the 2026-27 collegiate season.

Abarca is ranked No. 37 in the 2026 class and No. 13 prospect in California, per Tennis Recruiting Network.

“As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be more excited to add Adrien to our squad next fall,” Tennessee associate head coach Matt Lucas said. “Getting to know him and his family through the process showed exactly what we look for. He’s humble, hardworking, intelligent, athletic, loves tennis and is a proven winner.

The section’s individual playoffs are scheduled May 4-9, followed May 22-23 by the state regional team playoffs and May 30 state team championship.

Otay’s Abarca and Valencia are the top seed for the upcoming individual tourney.

Beach volleyball
This year’s finals were spread across three divisions: Open (four teams), Division I (12 teams) and Division II (17 teams).

Four South County teams were represented in this year’s 33- team draw: No. 3 Eastlake and No. 9 Otay Ranch in Division III while Olympian and Sweetwater met in a play-in round to determine the division’s No. 16 seed.

Eastlake, the defending division champion, blanked No. 14 Oceanside, 5-0. in a first-round matchup on April 30 to advance to Tuesday’s quarterfinal round against No. 11 Sage Creek while Otay Ranch dropped a 5-0 match against ninth-seeded Francis Parker.

Olympian defeated Sweetwater in the play-in round to meet No. 1 Our Lady of Peace in the first round, a 5-0 victory for OLP.

Semifinals are scheduled Thursday, followed by the championship round on Saturday at Mesa College — Division II at 10 a.m., Division I at noon and Open Division at 3 p.m.

This year’ top seeds include Cathedral Catholic (Open Division), Carlsbad (Division I) and Our Lady of Peace (Division II). Second-seeded teams included Pt. Loma (Open Division), San Marcos (Division I) and San Dieguito Academy (Division II).

Defending division champions include Cathedral Catholic (over Torrey Pines) in the Open Division, San Marcos (over Carlsbad) in Division I and Eastlake (over Canyon Crest Academy) in Division II.

Lacrosse
A total of six Metro Conference teams (four on the boys side and two on the girls side) qualified for this year’s section playoffs.

Metro-Mesa League co-champion Olympian (12-6) received the No. 4 seed in the Division III boys bracket while Bonita Vista (4-11) was seeded fifth. Metro-Mesa League co-champion Eastlake (7-9) received a play-in berth in the Division II boys bracket while Metro-South Bay League champion Hilltop (10-8) received a play-in berth in the Division III boys bracket.

Girls qualifiers included Metro-Mesa League Eastlake (13-3) in the Division II bracket as the fourth seed and Metro-South Bay League co-champion Bonita Vista (12-10-1) in the Division III bracket as the 11th seed.

First-round games were scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday at sites of the higher-seeded team, followed by quarterfinals on Friday and Saturday, semifinals on May 12-13 and championship games May 15-16.

Canyon Crest Academy is slated to host the girls finals while Patrick Henry High School has been selected to host the boys finals.

Both Eastlake (13-8 to Mission Hills) and Hilltop (9-4 to Rancho Buena Vista) lost play-in games while Olympian received a bye to Friday’s boys quarterfinals where the Eagles will host Bonita Vista, a 17-1 winner over 12th-seeded Rancho Buena Vista (4-15) in Tuesday’s playoff opener.

Bonita Vista built an insurmountable 12-0 halftime lead over the Longhorns and tacked on five more second half goals. Chase Holder led the Barons with four goals while Tank Camacho and David Posada each rang up three tallies. BV goalkeeper Zack Hackley was required to make just three saves.

“This was the best this group has ever played,” BVHS coach Sam Cardenas said. “We’ve had trouble getting kids to practice, but we’ve had some great practices recently and that’s helped build team chemistry.”

Eastlake received a bye to Friday’s girls quarterfinals where the Lady Titans will host either No. 5 Sage Creek (12-8) or No. 12 University City (5-16) while Bonita Vista ended its season with a 16-7 setback at No. 6 West Hills (8-13) in Tuesday’s opening round. 

Top seeds in this year’s boys bracket include Torrey Pines (Open Division), Granite Hills (Division I), Westview (Division II) and Valhalla (Division III). Top seeds in the girls bracket include Coronado (Open Division), Scripps Ranch (Division I), Pacific Ridge (Division II) and Classical Academy (Division III).

Second-seeded boys teams include Cathedral Catholic (Open Division), Santa Fe Christian (Division I), Patrick Henry (Division II) and Del Lago Academy (Division III). Second-seeded teams in the girls bracket include La Costa Canyon (Open Division), Del Norte (Division I), Tri-City Christian (Division II) and Valley Center (Division III).

Defending boys champions include Torrey Pines (Open Division), Granite Hills (Division I), San Dieguito Academy (Division II) and Mater Dei Catholic (Division III). Division runners-up included La Costa Canyon (Open Division), St. Augustine (Division I), Westview (Division II) and Classical Academy (Division III).

Mater Dei Catholic (5-11) moved up to Division II this year but did not qualify for postseason play.

Defending girls champions include Coronado (Open Division), Carlsbad (Division I), Rancho Bernardo (Division II) and Olympian (Division III). Runner-up teams included Cathedral Catholic (Open Division), Del Norte (Division I), Canyon Crest Academy (Division II) and Tri-City Christian (Division III).

Olympian (13-5) moved up to Division II status this year but also did not qualify for postseason play.

Boys volleyball
A total of 13 South County teams qualified for this year’s section playoffs: No. 6 Eastlake (15-20) in Division I, No. 5 Bonita Vista (20-14) and No. 10 Otay Ranch (10-20-1) in Division II, No. 1 Sweetwater (26-5), No. 4 Olympian (20-14) and No. 8 Montgomery (18-19) in Division III, No. 2 San Ysirdo (25-10), No. 5 Southwest (15-13), No. 10 Mar Vista (18-18) and No. 11 Hilltop (13-21) in Division IV, No. 8 High Tech Chula Vista (19-13) in Division V and No 2 Bayfront Charter (14-8) and No. 7 CVLCC (8-13) in Division V-AA.

First-round games were scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by quarterfinals on Thursday and Friday. Semifinals are scheduled May 12-13.

Championship games are scheduled May 14 at Logan Memorial (Division IV and Division V-AA), May 15 at Mission Hills High School (Division I and Open Division) and May 16 at MiraCosta College (Division II and Division V) and Mira Mesa High School (Division III).

Both Bonita Vista and Southwest scored 3-1 first-round wins in Tuesday’s opening round. Bonita Vista defeated 12th-seeded Pacific Ridge (12-15) by scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-15, 25-19 in what turned into a competitive matchup following an initial 7-1 Baron lead in Game 1. Southwest topped 12th-seeded Santana (15-14) in somewhat familiar script 25-23, 16-25, 25-14, 25-19. The Sultans hung close in Game 1 and found renewed energy in Game 2.

Bonita Vista advances to meet No. No. 4 Helix (26-7) in Thursday’s quarterfinals in La Mesa while Southwest will play No. 4 Oceanside (15-15) on Thursday.

CVLCC eliminated No. 10 Vincent Memorial (5-10) in Tuesday’s opening round to advance to Thursday’s all-South County quarterfinal matchup at No. 2 Bayfront Charter.

Mar Vista finished its season with a 3-0 loss Tuesday at seventh-seeded Monte Vista (18-23) by scores of 26-24, 25-19, 25-23. The Monarchs advance to play at No. 2 San Ysidro on Thursday.

No. 7 University City (19-11) defeated Otay Ranch 3-0 in Tuesday’s opening round to eliminate the Mustangs.

Top seeds include Bishop’s (34-3) in the Open Division, Canyon Crest Academy (20-13) in Division I, Coronado (22-6) in Division II, Sweetwater in Division III), Tri-City Christian (21-4) in Division IV, Del Lago Academy (24-7) in Division V and Escondido Adventist Academy (13-4) in Division V-AA.

Defending champions include Carlsbad (Open Division), St. Augustine (Division I), Clairemont (Division II), Mater Dei Catholic (Division III), Fallbrook (Division IV), San Ysidro (Division V) and Tri-City Christian (Division V-AA).

Pacific Ridge at Bonita Vista
Photos by Phillip Brents

San Diego Section Lacrosse Playoffs

BOYS BRACKETS

Open Division
Seeding (six teams): 1. Torrey Pines (13-3), 2. Cathedral Catholic (12-4), 3. La Costa Canyon (10-6), 4. Bishop’s (11-6), 5. Coronado (12-6), 6. Carlsbad (10-5)

Quarterfinal round: Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Semifinal round: Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Friday, May 15, 7 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School

Division I
Seeding (12 teams): 1. Granite Hills (15-3), 2. Santa Fe Christian (5-11), 3. San Marcos (12-7), 4. Del Norte (10-8), 5. St. Augustine (8-10), 6. San Dieguito Academy (10-8), 7. Poway (9-9), 8. Santana (9-11), 9. Pt. Loma (14-4), 10. La Jolla Country Day (8-10), 11. La Jolla (1-17), 12. Francis Parker (2-14)

First round: Wednesday, May6, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Quarterfinals: Saturday, May 9, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Semifinals: Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Saturday, May 16, 4 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School

Division II
Seeding (13 teams): 1. Westview (15-4), 2. Patrick Henry (10-6), 3. Pacific Ridge (17-0), 4. Scripps Ranch (9-6), 5. University City (9-7), 6. El Capitan (12-5), 7. Rancho Bernardo (8-7), 8. Mt. Carmel (7-8), 9. Grossmont (10-7), 10. Classical Academy (11-7), 11. West Hills (10-8), 12. Mission Hills/Eastlake winner

Play-in: Monday, May 4, 6 p.m., Eastlake (7-8) at Mission Hills (10-8), winner is No. 12 seed

First round: Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Quarterfinals: Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. at higher seed
Semifinals: Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Saturday, May 16, 1 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School

Division III
Seeding (13 teams): 1. Valhalla (11-7), 2. Del Lago Academy (11-4), 3. Clairemont (16-1), 4. Olympian (12-6), 5. Bonita Vista (4-11), 6. Preuss UCSD (10-6), 7. Canyon Hills (14-4), 8. Sage Creek (6-9), 9. Mission Bay (11-6), 10. Foothills Christian (5-11), 11. Fallbrook (4-15), 12. Rancho Buena Vista/Hilltop winner

Play-in: Monday, May 4, 6 p.m., Hilltop (10-7) at Rancho Buena Vista (2-15), winner is No. 12 seed

First round: Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Quarterfinals: Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. at higher seed
Semifinals: Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. At Patrick Henry High School

GIRLS BRACKETS

Open Division
Seeding (6 teams): 1. Coronado (15-3), 2. La Costa Canyon (15-2), 3. San Marcos (14-4), 4. Cathedral Catholic (13-7), 5. Torrey Pines, (9-0) 6. Carlsbad (12-6)

Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Semifinals: Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Saturday, May 16, 4 p.m. at Canyon Crest Academy

Division I
Seeding (12 teams): 1. Scripps Ranch (9-9), 2. Del Norte (12-5), 3. La Jolla (10-7), 4. Mt. Carmel (12-7), 5. Bishop’s (14-6), 6. Francis Parker (10-7), 7. La Jolla Country Day (10-7), 8. Poway (6-11), 9. Patrick Henry (7-13), 10. Rancho Bernardo (11-8), 11. Canyon Crest Academy (5-15), 12. San Dieguito Academy (2-14)

First round: Wednesday, May 6, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Quarterfinals: Saturday, May 9, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Semifinals: Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Friday, May 15, 7 p.m. at Canyon Crest Academy

Division II
Seeding (12 teams): 1. Pacific Ridge (14-3), 2. Tri-City Christian (13-4), 3. Canyon Hills (16-2), 4. Eastlake (13-3), 5. Sage Creek (12-8), 6. Mira Mesa (15-5), 8. Mission Hills (8-8), 9. Pt. Loma (13-6), 10. Mission Bay (10-8), 11. Granite Hills (7-8), 12. University City (5-16)

First round: Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Quarterfinals: Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Semifinals: Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Saturday, May 15, 1 p.m. at Canyon Crest Academy

Division III
Seeding (12 teams): 1. Classical Academy (11-8), 2. Valley Center (15-2), 3. Mission Vista (14-3), 4. Our Lady of Peace (15-0), 5. Grossmont (15-1), 6. West Hills (7-13), 7. Del Lago Academy (4-11), 8. Santana (9-9), 9. Lincoln (13-4), 10. Vista (12-8-1), 11. Bonita Vista (12-10-1), 12. Clairemont (9-7)

First round: Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Quarterfinals: Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Semifinals: Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m. at higher seed

Championship game: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. at Canyon Crest Academy