Laguna Beach set for California Challenge

One of the top girls’ volleyball tournaments in the state gets under way today in San Diego when Torrey Pines High hosts the 2008 California Challenge.

Laguna Beach again is entered in the event that this year features six of the nation’s top 40 ranked teams, according to PrepVolleyball.com. Among those top teams are No. 1 La Costa Canyon, No. 2 Archbishop Mitty of San Jose and No. 3 Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach.

Pool play begins at 3 p.m. at Torrey Pines High, Santa Fe Christian High and Coast Volleyball Club.

The tournament wraps Saturday with bracket play. Teams competing in the Gold Bracket will play at Torrey Pines and Coast Volleyball Club will host both Silver and Bronze bracket action. Matches begin at 8 a.m. The semifinals and finals are scheduled to begin at 3 and 5 p.m., respectively.

Laguna is the top seed in Pool H, which also includes Santa Fe Christian and Bakersfield. The Breakers will play pool games today at Santa Fe Christian High beginning with a 3 p.m. match against Bakersfield. They come back at 6 p.m. to play Santa Fe Christian.

The first-place finishers in each pool advance to the Gold Bracket. Second-place teams will compete in the Silver Bracket, and third-place teams will contend for the Bronze Bracket title.

“” Mike Sciacca