Could this be the year that the Malibu High boys water polo team wins its first CIF championship in school history? Will the girls tennis team make a return to the final after coming up just short the last two seasons?
These burning questions will be answered during the next two weeks, as both programs begin CIF postseason play.
Boys Water Polo
This could very well be Coach Mike Mulligan’s best team ever in his 23 years at the school. Of the 233 member schools in CIF’s Southern Section, Malibu (26-0), Mater Dei and Segerstrom are the only three that are still undefeated this season. Quite a feat to say the least.
The Sharks were CIF runner-ups in 2008 and 2010 and now begin again the quest for the elusive ring.
The No. 3 seed in the CIF Division VI playoffs, Malibu will entertain the winner of Oxnard or Baldwin Park on Thursday at the Malibu High School pool at 3 p.m.
“Excited about the playoffs,” Mulligan said. “We have a very special team and they want to see how they fare against the top teams in the division.”
Palm Desert (18-1) grabbed the No. 1 seed while La Quinta, which defeated Malibu a year ago in the CIF semifinals, is the second-seeded team.
To reach the pinnacle this season, the Sharks will have to win four matches. Their postseason journey will probably include facing schools such as Oxnard (16-10), Beaumont (18-9) and then La Quinta (22-4) in a rematch before reaching the championship game.
“We should see several different teams who play varying styles offensively and defensively,” Mulligan said. “It will be challenging and a great test of our team’s ability to adjust to different situations.”
Following their 19-3 win against Villanova Prep last week, the Sharks clinched their fourth consecutive Tri-Valley League title and 16th in the program’s rich history.
“It was nice to win the title outright. The last two years we shared the title with Oaks Christian,” Mulligan said.
After posting an unblemished mark of 10-0 in league play, Malibu began preparing for the CIF playoffs with matches against Arroyo Grande and Santa Monica, two tough teams from Division IV. Malibu disposed of Arroyo Grande, 14-8, and Santa Monica, 15-7.
CIF playoff dates are November 14, 16 and 20 and the finals are on the 23rd.
Girls Tennis
After being eliminated in the CIF semifinals the last two years, the Sharks are on a mission to reach the finals for the first time since winning back-to-back CIF championships in 2003 and 2004.
Malibu (13-3) is seeded fourth in CIF Division III. After winning their fourth consecutive league title, the Sharks won their first two matches in the playoffs.
They defeated St. Joseph’s of Santa Maria, 13-5, and then traveled to Temecula Valley where MHS knocked off the hosts, 14-4, to reach the CIF quarterfinals.
“I am extremely inspired by the high level of motivation and team spirit displayed during playoff matches,” Malibu coach Todd Montgomery said. “The girls are determined to win the entire tournament.”
Lauren Louks and Ilana Oleynik are both undefeated in singles play in the postseason. Doubles teams Raven Odian/Rachel Purewal and Lisa Consiglio/Elena Clarfield are also undefeated in the CIF playoffs so far.
“It’s been a team effort. Everyone has been contributing,” said Louks, who won 6-0, 6-0, 6-1 versus St. Joseph’s and 6-0, 6-0, 6-1 versus T.V. “We are peaking at the right time.”
The depth of the Sharks is beginning to show its true “black and teal” colors with consistent play and successful results.
No. 3 singles player Mia Green won a set in both matches, and the No. 3 doubles team of Kate Lasky/Davis Faherty won a set against Temecula Valley.
“As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder of the level of maturity displayed when facing difficult opponents,” Montgomery said. “The high level of competition between the Tri-Valley League teams has prepared us to fight for every point, every game and every match.”
As of press time, Malibu was slated to play Camarillo earlier in the week with the winner advancing to the CIF semifinals possibly against No. 1 Arroyo Grande. Should the Sharks reach the championship, it would be held on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Claremont Tennis Club at 10:30 a.m.