GOLDEN LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL: TEPID WIN EARNS LITTLEROCK VOLLEYBALL TEAM A DAY OFF.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

He saw a rather lifeless team in a win over Antelope Valley Tuesday, and Littlerock High School volleyball coach Preston Aldous came to a rather brash conclusion during the postgame chat.

``I couldn't believe I was saying it but I just told them, `No practice tomorrow,' '' Aldous said following the 16-14, 15-8, 15-4 sweep of the Antelopes that moved his team to 4-3 in the Golden League.

The decision was made for a couple of reasons.

First, the Lobos, like all the other Golden League teams, competed in the Highland Tournament on Saturday, and Aldous figured his team, which finished fourth, could use a day off.

Second, Aldous was disappointed in Littlerock's lackluster effort against 1-7 AV High.

``I don't know what to say. Sometimes they barely show up to play,'' Aldous said. ``I know we have a pretty talented team. But we've struggled twice against AV and went five games with (winless) Lancaster. That's the frustration.''

Littlerock's players have vowed to finish in second place in the league, but the Lobos trail Palmdale (6-1) by two matches with three to play. However, the Falcons still must meet Highland to end the season two days after hosting the Lobos this Tuesday.

``Palmdale is tough. We lost to them (earlier in the league season) and they beat us for third place at the Highland Tournament,'' Aldous said. ``If we can beat Palmdale, it gives us a good chance at second place.''

Aldous might have given his girls an extra day off anyway, even without the subpar effort against the Antelopes.

``During the league season you're used to getting the two days off (on the weekend). But with the Highland Tournament scheduled where it was we were over there between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.,'' Aldous said. ``It can be tough on the kids.''

Lancaster: The 0-7 Eagles' reward for losing in five, five and four games in their three previous matches was a Tuesday date with visiting Highland.

The Bulldogs (13-0 overall, 7-0 in league) handed Lancaster a 15-5, 15-6, 15-3 loss, but the Eagles are still watching everything the Bulldogs do as a blueprint for future success.

``We like to use Highland as a role model. Last year they were loaded with a lot of juniors and they won the league title,'' Lancaster coach Bruce Rucker said. ``We have everybody coming back next season, and we know what is happening now is making us a better team.''

Palmdale: The Falcons are doing their part to set up next Thursday's final Golden League match at Highland as the Bulldogs' final obstacle to complete back-to-back undefeated championship seasons.

Palmdale improved to 6-1 with a four-game win over Quartz Hill Tuesday night.

``Palmdale is playing with a lot of confidence right now,'' said Rucker, whose Eagles were swept twice by the Falcons. ``They're much more focused. The first time we played them, the looks on the players' faces said, `We should beat this team.' The next time it was more like, `Let's come and get rid of them right away.' It's a dangerous team.''