Young CHS volleyball squad takes loss as learning experience

Coming off a CIF season in 2009, the Claremont High School varsity girls volleyball team has an even tougher road in 2010.

Losing 7 seniors, the young squad was swept by Bonita on Tuesday in a nonleague battle, 25-13, 25-16, 25-20. The loss drops the Wolfpack to 4-3 on the season.

Several hitting errors and inconsistent ball handling factored into Claremont's home loss yesterday. Junior Taylor Scott hopes the defeat will ignite the Pack's competitive spirit over the remainder of the season.

"I think games like this give us motivation," Scott said. "Now we're going to work really hard over the next 2 weeks to be prepared for our next match."

This Saturday's COURIER will feature a more in-depth look at Tuesday's match as well as provide results and scores of other Claremont sporting events.

Kessler big in CHS football's first win

Claremont High School quarterback Daniel Kessler was on the mark in Friday's 31-14 win over Cajon.

The senior threw for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Wolfpack (1-0) put on an impressive showing before its home crowd. Receiver Tanner Kuramata was Kessler's favorite target with 9 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown.

The Pack will play at Bonita next Friday in a nonleague showdown at 7 p.m. Bonita (1-0) defeated San Dimas last night, 41-20, to reclaim the Smudgepot trophy.

Biszantz Family Tennis Center honored for excellence

(photo courtesy of CMS Athletics)

Claremont McKenna College's Biszantz Family Tennis Center will be honored by the United States Tennis Association with a USTA Facility Award on Monday at a special ceremony in New York City.

The Biszantz Family Tennis Center was one of 7 centers recognized by USTA for excellence in the construction or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.

"The Biszantz Family Tennis Cente rhas gone above and beyond to create a superior tennis experience for their patrons and community at large," said Kurt Kamperman, USTA chief executive of community tennis. "We are proud to honor each of their achievements and applaud their devotion to the sport."

A state-of-the-art training and competitions center, the Biszantz Family Tennis Center was renovated in 2009 and opened for match play late that year. The center features 12 fully-lit courts to be used for competition, permanent seating for each court, an observation deck, players' lounge, locker room, medical services and intramural grass playing field. The Claremont Architectural Commission awarded the center with an Excellence in Design Award in the New Construction and Sustainable Landscaping category.

Along with the award, the Biszantz Family Tennis Center will also be getting an all-weather sign that can be mounted at the facility. The center also receives a one-year free membership to USTA.

Pomona-Pitzer men's soccer kicks off sports season for Claremont Colleges

The Pomona-Pitzer men's soccer team opened its 2010-11 season at home on Wednesday against Division II opponent Cal State San Marcos. Due to 2 circus-like goals by the Cougars in the 2nd half, Claremont fell prey to Cal State San Marcos in the end, 2-0.

The match was the first sporting event to take place at the Claremont Colleges for the 2010-11 year. Pomona-Pitzer is the defending Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) champion and also has the 2009 SCIAC Player of the Year as a returnee in Eben Perkins.

Check out Saturday's COURIER for coverage of Wednesday's game and keep looking for the Sagehens' progress in the COURIER's scoreboard feature all season long.