HS Polls: Catholic teams battle for position as playoffs approach

As next month’s playoffs come into view, Catholic teams continue to perform well in the CIF-Southern Section boys’ water polo polls released Oct. 14.

J. Serra continues to lead the Division 4 rankings, while St. Francis (D-5) and Crespi (D-6) are second in their divisions. Alemany rose from eighth to seventh in the latter poll.

Loyola remains third in the combined D-1&2 poll, with Santa Margarita still fifth and Mater Dei eighth. Servite gained from fifth to fourth in D-3.

The regular season ends Oct. 31. Playoff seedings will be announced for the seven divisions on Nov. 2, and playoff action begins Nov. 5 with wild-card matches.

Cross Country

With one exception, there were minimal changes among Catholic school teams in the Oct. 14 CIF-SS cross country divisional polls.

That exception was St. John Bosco which soared from outside the boys’ Division 3 top ten into fourth, with Damien tenth. Elsewhere, Loyola remained seventh in D-2, and Cathedral is still third and J.Serra seventh in D-4.

Among girls’ teams, Mayfield edged up to sixth from seventh and J.Serra slipped into ninth in D-4, and Sacred Heart remained fifth in D-5.

Girls’ Tennis

In the CIF-SS girls’ tennis rankings issued Oct. 14, J.Serra dipped from ninth to tenth in Division 2 and Mayfield fell from seventh to tenth in D-3. Playoff seedings will be announced Nov. 4, and playoffs begin Nov. 5.