By Steve Breazeale
For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the Dana Hills High School fall sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.
Water Polo Drops Close Game to Chargers
The Dana Hills boys water polo team has dominated the South Coast League in recent years, claiming every title dating back to 2012. While there is still plenty of the season left to go, El Toro proved on Sept. 20 that it might have something to say about who takes home the hardware in 2016.
El Toro pulled off a 12-11 overtime victory over the visiting Dolphins to jump to the top of the league standings.
The Chargers held a comfortable 7-3 lead at the half, but the game quickly turned into a shootout. The Dolphins came roaring back in the second half, outscoring El Toro 6-2 down the stretch, forcing a 9-9 tie at the end of regulation. But the Chargers controlled the game in overtime and took the match.
El Toro’s Chad Nelson led all scorers with five goals. Dana Hills was led by Bryce Dunn and Kai Hanson, who each found the back of the net three times.
The Dolphins (3-4, 0-1 league) were scheduled to play Los Alamitos in a nonleague match on Sept. 22. Results were not available at press time. Dana Hills will travel to play league rival San Clemente on Oct. 4.
Girls Volleyball Sweeps Diablos
The Dana Hills girls volleyball team opened its bid for a Sea View League championship with a dominating three-set sweep over Mission Viejo on Sept. 21. The Dolphins breezed past the Diablos 25-9, 25-19, 25-12.
Dana Hills (8-4, 1-0) has won two out of its last three matches, and will look to carry the momentum into a league matchup at home against Capistrano Valley on Sept. 27.
After Trip to Utah, Cross Country Readies for New Season
After several weeks of lying idle, the Dana Hills boys and girls cross country teams are finally ready for their first competitive meet of the season. The Dolphins will host the annual Dana Hills Invitational on Sept. 24.
The course, which loops runners around the area of Dana Hills High School, is a traditionally fast track and a good litmus test for the start of the season.
The Dolphins’ boys team began the season as the top-ranked squad in CIF-SS Division 1, but has since slipped to the No. 2 spot in the polls. The girls team debuted at No. 5 in Division 1, but are now ranked ninth.
Both the Dana Hills boys and girls teams recently returned from a trip to Utah to compete against and train alongside American Fork, a perennial nationally ranked cross country power.
Tennis Team Stays Strong Despite Tough Schedule
Following its first loss of the season, the Dana Hills girls tennis team bounced back with a big 12-6 nonleague win over tenth-ranked Mira Costa on Sept. 14. In 2015, Mira Costa advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships.
Dana Hills’ Courtney Swift swept all three of her singles matches, and the doubles teams won six of a possible nine points to seal the win.
The Dolphins (5-1) have not been shying away from quality opponents during the nonleague portion of their schedule. Dana Hills’ last three opponents all appeared in the playoffs one year ago. The Dolphins only loss of the season was against fifth-ranked University on Sept. 13.
Dana Hills is ranked eighth in the CIF-SS Division 1 polls.
Girls Golf Trending Upward
The Dana Hills girls golf team has steadily lowered its cumulative team score now that South Coast League play has started. The Dolphins, who have bettered their previous score in each of their last four matches, posted their lowest score to date on Sept. 20 in a 197-281 league victory over El Toro at El Niguel Country Club.
Dana Hills (5-3, 2-1) split the season series with rival San Clemente last week, but easily defeated the Chargers on their home course. The Dolphins were scheduled to host El Toro again on Sept. 22. Results were not available at press time. Dana Hills will compete in the Rainbow Sandals/Lady Triton Invitational, an 18-hole event, at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course on Sept. 23.
Football Loses Shootout with Santa Monica
The Dana Hills and Santa Monica high school football teams found themselves in an offensive slugfest in the west side of Los Angeles on Sept. 16. In the end, Santa Monica proved to have more firepower as it barnstormed its way to a 53-36 nonleague victory.
One week after setting season-best marks in the rushing category, the Dolphins (0-4) went with a pass-heavy approach against Santa Monica. Dana Hills quarterback Corey Cisowski completed 36 of 53 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns to one interception.
Senior receiver Ryder Lynch caught 12 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns and Matt Sanford reeled in nine catches for 52 yards and a score in the loss.
While the Dolphins were busy airing it out on offense, Santa Monica was content with handing the ball off to senior running back Antonio Holley. Holley was the model of efficiency in the contest, turning nine carries into 221 yards and four touchdowns. Holley averaged an incredible 24.6 yards per carry in the win.
Dana Hills led 14-12 after the first quarter, but the Vikings steadily pushed forward to take the lead. Santa Monica outscored the visitors 34-22 over the final two quarters.
The Dolphins will host Los Amigos (2-1) out of the Garden Grove League on Sept. 23.
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