Barboza Will Go to Stanford

By Paul McLeod; Martin Henderson; Rafer Weigel

March 30, 2004 12 AM PT

From Staff Reports

Outside hitter Cynthia Barboza of Long Beach Wilson, considered the top women’s volleyball prospect in the nation, has committed to Stanford.

Barboza, 16, has been living in Colorado since late January as she attempts to earn a spot on the U.S. national team that will compete in the Athens Olympics.

A junior, she has been taking classes through correspondence with her teachers. She is expected to return in the fall for her senior year, but it’s not clear whether she’ll play volleyball.

Last summer, Barboza earned a starting spot on the U.S. women’s team that won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games.

-- Paul McLeod

Softball

Freshman Victoria Kemp tripled to open the game and started the winning two-run rally in the top of the seventh inning with an infield single to help Saugus defeat Palmdale Highland, 4-2, in the championship game of the High Desert Classic.

Highland (9-3) had tied the score, 2-2, when Mary Beth Promisel delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Saugus (11-3) defeated Highland, 6-3, earlier this month.

Showdowns today among top-25 teams include No. 15 Pomona Diamond Ranch, led by pitcher Amanda Klimczak, playing at No. 8 Chino Don Lugo in a Mt. Baldy League game.

In other games, senior Mindy Cowles and No. 7 Riverside Poly play at No. 25 Moreno Valley Valley View in the Ivy League; and No. 16 Placentia El Dorado, which was upset Saturday by Pomona Catholic in the semifinals of the Charter Oak tournament, plays at Orange El Modena, which made its debut in the rankings this week at No. 23, in the Century League.

-- Martin Henderson

Golf

Westlake Village Oaks Christian, a 5-year-old school that has become a small-division force in the Southern Section, puts its No. 10 ranking on the line today against three-time defending Southern Section champion Santa Barbara San Marcos at Sandpiper Golf Course in Goleta.

Oaks Christian (10-0-1) attracted attention when it tied sixth-ranked Newhall Hart, 392-392, at Robinson Ranch on March 11.

-- Rafer Weigel