SOUTHERN SECTION VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS: CRESPI PASSES OPENING TEST.

Byline: Daily News

The Crespi of Encino boys' volleyball team won its first-round game in the Southern Section playoffs Friday night, but it wasn't easy.

The Celts were challenged throughout a 29-27, 20-25, 25-22, 25-19 victory over a well-prepared North Torrance team in a Division I match at Louisville High in Woodland Hills.

Pat Collins had 14 kills, Kevin Brooks added 10, and Brandon Ricard had 40 assists for Crespi (13-4).

IN OTHER GAMES

Div. IV

--Simi Valley d. Redondo: Ian Jackson had 22 kills in Simi Valley's 25-19, 22-25, 24-26, 25-20, 15-13 upset victory over host Redondo Union, the South Bay League champion.

Jackson had eight blocks and Casey Hughes had 44 assists for the Pioneers (13-4).

--Moorpark d. Santa Monica 3-0 Sean Sharpe had 17 kills and six aces and Justin Savage had 14 kills for host Moorpark (14-3) in a 25-14, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21 victory.

Div. II

--Crescenta Valley d. Arroyo Grande 3-0: Jeff O'Neil had 20 kills, Stuart Lange added 12s and Jesse Wallace had 40 assists for Crescenta Valley in a 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 victory at home.

Div. IV

--Village Christian d. Cathedral 3-0 Daniel Greenhaw had 17 kills and L.B. Blocker added 14 in a 25-16, 25-20, 25-19 first-round victory for host Village Christian of Sun Valley, the defending section champion.

``It was business as usual,'' said Village Christian coach Bill Schnobrich, whose team extended its playoff winning streak to six games. ``Offensively, we were really on. They couldn't get anything going.''

That was due in large part to the passing of Andy Levoe, a four-year varsity player and three-year starter. He finished with 43 assists. Greenhaw and Josh Wade each had 10 digs.

The victory provided a shot of confidence for the Crusaders (12-3), who entered the playoffs having lost two of their final three regular-season games.

--L.A. Baptist d. Morningside 3-1: Sheldon Sheehy had 12 kills, 13 blocks and 24 digs, Scott Sturzenacker had nine kills and seven blocks and Mike Dunbar had 19 assists for host L.A. Baptist (14-2) in a 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 victory.

Div. V

--Viewpoint d. West Valley Christian 3-0: Omar Abuzaineh had 12 kills and Mike Larner added 11 in a 25-13, 25-9, 25-6 victory for host Viewpoint of Calabasas, which advances to Tuesday's quarterfinals against Sage Hill of Newport Beach.

The victory, however, wasn't as easy as it might appear. In game two, the Patriots fell behind 8-2. Blake Beisswanger took it upon himself to get the team back in the game, serving 17 consecutive points, including six aces.

``We thought they were going to lay down after the first game,'' Viewpoint coach Mike Talamantes. ``But that just doesn't happen in the playoffs. Blake was key. He was aggressive. He changed the complection of the game.''

Beisswanger had help. Alex Safyan had 29 assists, including 12 in the second game, and kept up the steady passing in game three as Viewpoint jumped out to 16-3 lead and never looked back in handing West Valley Christian of West Hills (10-1) its first loss of the season.