DAILY UPDATE.

COLLEGES

College of the Canyons

The women's golf team begins Western State Conference play at the Santa Barbara Golf Club at noon Monday. The Cougars were victorious in two scrimmages against conference rival Santa Barbara.

The defending conference champion Cougars, with players ages 18 through 64, are led by 30-year-old sophomore Susan Latch, the WSC Player of the Year, and Courtney Renfro. Latch and Renfo finished second and third in the state individual tournament.

Peg Stratton and Rene Smith are returning WSC selections. April Marcum was COC's top player in the program's inaugural season in 1999.

- Kirby Lee

The Master's College

Newcomer Erika Sansoni, a junior middle blocker from Durango, Colo., has been a lift for the Mustangs volleyball team.

Sansoni has recorded double-digit kill totals in six of The Master's first seven matches, including a season-best 21 with 19 digs in a five-game loss to Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) on Aug. 31.

The Mustangs' Golden State Athletic Conference opener is tonight at 7 against Cal Baptist in Riverside.

- Chris Cocoles

HIGH SCHOOLS

Canyon

Former Cowboys soccer player Emma Barker is beginning her junior season at The Master's College this weekend. The midfielder known for her ability to distribute as well as shoot effectively is expected to take on a larger role this year for the team with several freshmen and sophomores.

The Mustangs are playing in Fresno this weekend.

- Heather Gripp

Hart

Hart baseball player Chris Valaika had a successful summer as a member of the 16-and-under USA Youth National Team.

The USA team went 25-0 in the summer, including 8-0 to win the World Championships in Veracruz, Mexico, in July. The Americans beat Korea, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Mexico, Japan and Australia before beating Venezuela 6-2 in the championship game.

Valaika hit .444 (8 for 18) with two RBI and three runs scored in the World Championships and was named the second baseman for the all-world team.

- Rich Hammond

Saugus

The Centurions enter the season as the Foothill League favorite in girls' volleyball. Senior hitter Dustin Joyce lacked consistency last season but has looked good during the summer. Saugus plays today in the Ventura Tournament.

- Matthew Kredell

Valencia

The Foothill League girls' tennis championship will be a tough for Valencia, but the Vikings have one of the top returners in junior singles player Ashley Herrera.

Herrera finished second in the Foothill League last year and became just the second Viking to advance to the Southern Section individual championships.

Herrera also led the Vikings to the second round of the team playoffs last season, where they lost to Righetti of Santa Maria.

- Rich Hammond