Posted on Mon, Mar. 15, 2010

The Arroyo Grande High girls water polo team dominated the CIF-Southern Section all-Division 4 team announced Monday.

The Eagles, who on Feb. 27 edged Rio Mesa 7-6 in Irvine to claim their third consecutive Division 4 championship, took home both the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards.

The Player of the Year honor was shared by Eagles senior goalkeeper Briana Lippert, a Cal recruit, and teammate Melanie Johnson, a senior defender.

“It’s really nice for the girls to be recognized for their hard work,” Arroyo Grande coach Steven Allen said. “Most of this whole group has been starting together since their sophomore years.”

Allen was named the division’s co-Coach of the Year along with Rio Mesa’s Keith McKnett.

The Eagles, who finished the season 30-3, also placed three players on the all-divisional first team in senior Stephanie Stern, a UC Santa Barbara recruit, sophomore Kim Johnson and junior Alexa May. Lippert and Allen also claimed the same individual awards last season.

BOYS GOLF

Oak Park Invitational

Atascadero carded the best score of the three local teams at the three-man, par-71 tournament at North Ranch Golf Course in Westlake Village, shooting a 252 to finish in the top 10.

Austin Kaiser shot a team-best 76 for the Greyhounds, lowering his score at the event for the third straight season, as his three previous tries he had carded 80, 79 and 77.

“There are some narrow fairways,” Atascadero coach Sam DeRose said of the course, at which USC hosts the Pac-10 championships. “Austin has played it enough that he’s become comfortable with it.”

Nipomo wasn’t far behind at 263, led by Rory Doll, who shot an 80 after opening his season with three consecutive dual-medalist performances in the 70s.

Arroyo Grande, meanwhile, shot a 277, with Rik Mersai carding a 91.

San Luis Obispo 394, Bishop Diego 470, Carpinteria 584

The Tigers’ Joseph Zakaria shot a medalist score of 74 at the par-71 Montecito Country Club.

Tyler Anderson added a 76, and Adam Zakaria shot a 79 for San Luis Obispo.

Templeton 238, Santa Maria 246

The Eagles’ Billy Hearst earned medalist honors by shooting a nine-hole 38 at the par-35 Rancho Maria course. Spencer Elliot shot a 43 for Templeton (2-2), while teammate Seth Hughes added a 51.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Nipomo 3, Mission Prep 1

The Titans won 25-13, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17 at home.

Quinn Tanner led the Royals (1-2) with eight kills and 10 blocks, while teammate John Sansone also had eight kills. Sean Robinson had team highs of eight digs and 21 assists in defeat.