LEAGUE CHAMPS EARN THEIR BYES.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

For the Westlake and Valencia High boys' volleyball teams, the reward for dominating the Marmonte and Foothill leagues means one thing this week: a much needed break.

Both teams were awarded byes through the first round of the Southern Section playoffs this week. Westlake (22-1) earned the No. 2 seed in Div. I and will open in the second round next Tuesday against the winner of the Crespi of Encino vs. North Torrance first-round match Friday.

Valencia (16-1), the Foothill League champion for the fourth year in a row, was named the No. 1 seed in Div. II and will open next Tuesday against the winner of the Arroyo Grande at Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta first-round match Friday. The Vikings are the defending Div. II champions.

``We're excited and ready to go,'' Valencia coach Mark Knudsen said. ``This is what we've played the entire year for.''

Westlake, which lost in the semifinals to Loyola of Los Angeles last year, agrees.

``We can't wait to get started,'' Westlake setter Travis Foltz said. ``We think we have a shot to win this whole thing.''

In Div. IV, defending champion Village Christian of Sun Valley, which finished third in the powerful Olympic League, opens the first round Friday at Cathedral of Los Angeles.

The Crusaders (11-3) returned just two players from last season and surprised coach Bill Schnobrich with their strong year despite the losses. It helped that one player returning was setter Andy Levoe, one of the region's top playmakers.

``He's battle-tested, and in the playoffs maturity is such an important part of success,'' Schnobrich said.

In other key Div. I first-round matches Friday, Moorpark hosts Santa Monica and Simi Valley is at Redondo.

In Div. II, Canyon of Canyon Country hosts Littlerock, Highland of Palmdale hosts Eisenhower of Rialto and Quartz Hill hosts Ventura.

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS

All games Friday at 7 p.m., unless noted

SO. SECTION DIV. I

FIRST ROUND

--Mira Costa, bye; Los Alamitos at Santa Margarita; Irvine at Capistrano Valley; Bishop Montgomery at Fountain Valley; St. John Bosco at Newport Harbor; Alemany at L.B. Wilson; Santa Monica at Moorpark; Loyola, bye; San Clemente, bye; Harvard-Westlake at Lakewood; Jordan at Huntington Beach; Mission Viejo at Woodbridge; Simi Valley at Redondo Bay; El Toro at Mater Dei; North Torrance at Crespi; Westlake, bye.

SO. SECTION DIV. II

FIRST ROUND

--Valencia, bye; Arroyo Grande at Crescenta Valley; Tesoro at Canyon/A; San Luis Obispo, bye; Eisenhower at Highland; Tustin at West Valley; Corona del Mar, bye; Santa Ynez, bye; Ventura at Quartz Hill; Littlerock at Canyon; Laguna Beach, bye; Northwood at Villa Park; Claremont at Redlands East Valley; Righetti at Arcadia; Santa Barbara, bye.

SO. SECTION DIV. III

FIRST ROUND

--Loara at Estancia; Warren at Century; Santa Ana at Garey; La Serna at Hemet; Torrance at Downey; El Rancho at Valencia/P; Sierra at Beverly Hills; San Gabriel at Camarillo; California at Western; Cypress at Ocean View; Pacifica at Mark Keppel; Yucaipa at Orange Lutheran; Saddleback at Santa Fe; Cajon at Los Altos; Gahr at West Torrance; Montebello at Oxnard.

SO. SECTION DIV. IV

FIRST ROUND

--Don Bosco at Mayfair; Garden Grove at Santiago; Carpinteria at Crossroads; Cerritos at Palos Verdes; Campbell Hall at Oaks Christian; La Sierra at Pacifica/GG; San Marino at Bishop Amat; Rancho Alamitos at Valley Christian; Village Christian at Cathedral; Norco at La Mirada; Gabrielino at South Torrance; Whittier at La Quinta/W; John Glenn at South Pasadena; Morningside at L.A. Baptist; Desert at Oak Park; Desert Christian/L at Brentwood.

SO. SECTION DIV. V

FIRST ROUND

--Dunn at Pasadena Poly; AGBU, bye; Sage Hill at St. Bernard; West Valley Christian at Viewpoint; Brethren Christian Academy, bye; La Salle, bye; Flintridge Prep at Cate; Windward, bye.

SO. SECTION DIV. V

WILD CARD

Games Wednesday at 7 p.m., unless noted

--Whitney at Salesian; Lutheran/T at Serra; Providence at Santa Clarita Christian; Mary Star at San Gabriel Academy.

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BOYS' VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS (see text)