Preps: Soccer, volleyball races heating up

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, there's still much to be decided in the area's boys soccer and girls volleyball playoff races.

Several of the top squads in both sports have solidified their position heading into the postseason. But playoff spots in both the Sunrise and Sunset Divisions likely won't be decided until season's end.

In boys soccer, Las Vegas, Chaparral and Silverado look to be in good shape atop the Sunrise standings. The fourth and final slot is up for grabs, though, with Rancho clinging to a one-point lead over defending state champion Green Valley.

The Rams have burst into the playoff hunt recently, going 5-2 in their last seven games to stay ahead of the Gators in the standings. That string includes a 2-1 victory over league-leading Las Vegas.

In the Sunset, Bishop Gorman's recent misfortune has opened the door for Palo Verde and Cimarron-Memorial. The Gaels were forced to forfeit seven victories when the school discovered that two academically ineligible players had participated in those games.

With Gorman dropping to the division's cellar, the first-year Panthers have moved into the No. 4 slot, behind Durango, Cheyenne and Bonanza. The Spartans also have a decent shot at the playoffs, trailing Palo Verde by just four points heading into today's action.

Meanwhile, the Gaels are appealing the forfeit decision to Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Director Jerry Hughes. According to Gorman coach Victor Arbelaez, the appeal is based in part on the minutes played by the two ineligible team members.

"We'll see what happens, and in the meantime, we're just trying to win the remainder of our games," said Arbelaez, whose club beat Palo Verde 5-1 on Tuesday.

The Trailblazers, who lead the division with 27 points, have been red hot, winning six of their last seven to pull ahead of the Desert Shields and Bengals.

In girls volleyball, Green Valley, Silverado and Las Vegas have been the cream of the Sunrise all season, and the final spot is Chaparral's for the taking. But if the Cowboys falter, Valley is close enough to make a run.

The Sunset race has been wild all fall, with Cimarron, Durango and Gorman playing to a virtual draw. Heading into tonight's matches, all three clubs had just one loss on their division record, setting up an interesting stretch run. Cheyenne, Western and Bonanza all have a shot at the fourth playoff spot.

* Basic's Rob Oslund and Cheyenne's Katie Bailey have been named the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association 4A Athletes of the Week. The cross country runners were recognized for their efforts at Saturday's Central Park Invitational in Huntington Beach, Calif. Oslung placed second individually, helping the Wolves to the team title, while Bailey finished first in the field of 147 with a time of 18:36.

* The Green Valley girls maintained their season-long lock on the top spot in the Southern Nevada Coaches Association Top 10 poll this week. Rounding out the top five are Durango, Basic, Silverado and Bonanza. On the boys side, Durango remained atop the poll, ahead of Basic, Bonanza, Silverado and Green Valley.

* No. 1 McQueen stayed unbeaten, posting a 31-0 shutout over Reed to remain atop Division I. No. 3 Wooster kept pace, improving to 4-0 in Division II play with an easy 49-0 victory over Churchill County. No. 4 Elko hammered Galena 52-0, No. 7 Carson downed Reno 13-10, and No. 10 Douglas held off Hug 28-21.

* ON THE AIR: KSFN 1140-AM will broadcast Friday' Bonanza-Bishop Gorman football game at 7:30 p.m., while Prime Cable Channel 48 will air Friday's Las Vegas-Basic contest next Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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