The 2018 boys volleyball season got a jump-start with the fourth annual National City Host Lions tournament hosted March 2-3 by Sweetwater High School. Thirty-four teams participated this year, including seven East County programs.
Santana, which finished in first place in its pool, received the No. 4 seed in the Gold Division playoffs but was upset in the quarterfinals by fifth-seeded Patrick Henry.
The 2018 boys volleyball season got a jump-start with the fourth annual National City Host Lions tournament hosted March 2-3 by Sweetwater High School. Thirty-four teams participated this year, including seven East County programs.
Santana, which finished in first place in its pool, received the No. 4 seed in the Gold Division playoffs but was upset in the quarterfinals by fifth-seeded Patrick Henry.
Granite Hills received the No. 10 seed in the Gold Division playoffs but failed to advance past the opening round following a loss to seventh-seeded El Camino.
Steele Canyon received the No.11 seed in the Silver Division playoffs and upset sixth-seeded Kearny in the opening round before being eliminated by third-seeded Coronado in the quarterfinals.
Grossmont received the No. 4 seed in the Silver Division playoffs but was upset by 12th-seeded Mira Mesa in the quarterfinals.
West Hills received the No. 7 seed in the Silver Division playoffs but was upset by 10th-seeded Del Lago Academy in the opening round.
Mount Miguel received the No. 2 seed in the Bronze Division playoffs and defeated seventh-seeded Gompers Prep in he quarterfinals before being upset in the semifinals by sixth-seeded San Ysidro.
Division champions included San Pasqual (Gold Division), Coronado (Silver Division) and O’Farrell (Bronze Division).
“It’s great to see so many teams come out and play this early in the season,” explained Sweetwater coach Erik Hernandez, who served as tournament director. “Many of these teams are teams that made playoffs the year before.
Hernandez said tournaments are a great tool for programs looking to get better.
“Bracket play has become very competitive as teams improve during the tournament,” he said. “Win or lose, kids and coaches always leave happy knowing they got to play different teams of different levels and got to see their teams strengths and weaknesses. Teams keep coming back to try and win a trophy along with the championship T-shirts. I wish the best of luck to all teams as they continue on to other tournaments and league matches.”
San Pasqual finished 7-0 in the two-day tournament.
The playoffs consisted of four rounds in all three divisions.
The Gold Division playoffs took place at Sweetwater High School while the Silver Division playoffs took place at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach. West Hills High School hosted the Bronze Division playoffs.
