DAILY UPDATE.

Byline: - Heather Gripp

College of the Canyons

The women's water polo team will try for its first back-to-back victories of the season when the Cougars play at Valley at 3:30 p.m. today. Canyons is coming off its biggest victory of the season, a 23-9 win Friday over L.A. Trade Tech that improved the Cougars to 5-15.

Canyons is led by sophomore Lindsay Berke, who has a team-high 21 goals, 24 assists and 54 steals.

The Master's College

The women's volleyball team is gaining confidence, if not victories, during what is deemed a transition year with a new coach (Beth Avila) and just two seniors.

The Mustangs have played tough against several Golden State Athletic Conference and nationally ranked powers, losing in five games to both No. 2 Fresno Pacific and 21st-ranked Azusa Pacific. The Master's suffered two four-game defeats to No. 7 Biola.

The Master's will take a 2-11 GSAC mark (12-13 overall) into GSAC matches Friday at fourth-ranked Point Loma Nazarene and Saturday at Christian Heritage.

Canyon

Sophomore setter Jannalee Mays credits the close, family-like atmosphere of the girls' volleyball team for helping her make a smooth transition to varsity this season.

But beating the support of Mays' actual family is difficult.

Mays' grandparents are such big fans that the Cowboys honored them for their loyalty. Mays' grandparents attended each junior varsity and varsity match last season when Mays was on junior varsity and her cousin started on varsity.

``They give me so much support,'' Mays said of her family.

Hart

The football team is climbing closer to the top in the Southern Section Div. II rankings. Last week's 45-7 victory over Burbank combined with Canyon's 52-45 victory over then-No. 3 Valencia helped the Indians move up one spot this week to No. 3.

Hart (3-3, 1-0) has an opportunity to move up again when it takes on No. 2 Canyon in Thursday's showdown for first place in the Foothill League.

Saugus

The football team expects to have senior receiver/linebacker Hunter Schmidt back for next week's game against Valencia. But until then, the Centurions are trying to find a way to fill the void left by an injury to the two-way starter.

Coach Jason Bornn said he will rotate players at receiver but is undecided on a defensive replacement for Friday's game against Burbank.

Valencia

Sophomore Lauren Wells is emerging as one of the most promising players for the future of the girls' volleyball program. The junior varsity player began the season as an outside hitter, but moved to setter when the Vikings were looking for a change at that position. She's done so well at the new position that she often sets with the varsity during practice.