LJ sports: Playoff time

By Ed Piper

Playoff Tuesday and Wednesday approach, with four Vikings teams in postseason action the next two days, in addition to the wrestlers' CIF Division 4 meet that occurred Sat., Feb. 9.

The strongest team promises to be the La Jolla girls water polo team, which faces number-one seed and rival Bishop's in the Open Division semifinals Wed., Feb. 13, at at 6:30 p.m. at Coggan Pool.

Coach Amy Jennings' Aquawomen vanquished Cathedral Catholic 8-5 Thurs., Feb. 7, in a tight match against a higher seed (the Dons with the fourth seed, the Vikes fifth) in the quarterfinals, as Jensine Bugelli scored a hat trick and captain Katy Koenig snagged a late goal to help ensure the win.

Another stealthy contingent is the boys soccer team, which squares off against San Dieguito Academy Tues., Feb. 12, at 5 p.m. The Vikings have been playing well, but they have faced more stiff competition after their elevation to Division 2, which followed a rise to Division 3 a couple of years ago after taking the CIF Division 4 title.

In the playoff doubleheader Tuesday, Coach Darice Carnaje's girls basketball team will travel to Point Loma for a 7 p.m. match. Senior Katrina Kurtchi has made a remarkable transformation from a three-point shooter as a freshman, to a team-oriented, team-leading guard who combines play-making with her long-distance shooting skills.

"It took three years," commented Carnaje with a laugh on her team leader. The Vikings have made the most of their talent, incorporating several new players this year after graduating some seniors who had been part of the rotation for four years.

In addition, the Viking boys basketball team takes the long trip in traffic to the South Bay Wednesday evening for a 7 p.m. first-round Division 1 playoff against Mater Dei Catholic. Coach Paul Baranowski's squad dropped an earlier game with the Crusaders in December.

Nick Hulquist, Langston Aron, and their teammates would enjoy making some fireworks at Mater Dei, after a tough Western League schedule that limited them to a trey of triumphs and a 10-18 overall record.