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.

Sports is back in season

If seeing Claremont High School football players out on the football field for "Hell Week" is any indication, high school sports, college sports and other organizational sports will be coming back into season this September.

This fall season, CHS will begin its new journey in the Sierra League after many years in the Baseline League. Instead of playing the likes of Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Etiwanda and Los Osos every year, Claremont will now encounter opponents such as Ayala, Chino Hills, South Hills and Damien in their league contests.

With the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer sports teams also slated to kick off in September, along with Claremont AYSO and the Claremont Jr. All American Football league, next month's sports coverage will kick back into full swing.

Expect a preview on the CHS football team in the COURIER this Saturday and a look at Claremont High's move into the Sierra League next Wednesday.

Senior ladies find fountain of youth on the tennis court

For the past 10 years, a senior group of women have been keeping an active lifestyle and enriching their friendships by getting together to play tennis twice a week. With their ages ranging from 73 to 99, they are a source of inspiration to those who know them and to each other.

Doris Drucker, Shirley Harris, Jean Jackman, Noreen Kistner, Shirley Moses, Eleanor Pierson and Tina Van Zandt represent the group that meets every Monday and Friday at the Claremont Club. Ms. Drucker, the wife of the late Peter Drucker, is the oldest participant at 99 years old.

Pick up tomorrow's issue of the COURIER to read the full story on this amazing group of women who have used tennis as their fountain of youth.

Claremont Fastpitch wins respect at Western Nationals

(Photo courtesy of Claremont Fastpitch)

The Claremont Fastpitch 10-and-Under Gold, 12-and-Under Gold and 14-and-Under All-Star teams all had Top 10 finishes in last week's Western Nationals.

The 14U squad led the way by finishing 4th of 41 teams in Roseville, the 12U team took 5th place in Las Cruces, New Mexico out of nearly 30 teams and the 10U team placed 9th out of 40 teams in Tucson, Arizona.

"We really want to thank the community for their support," said Claremont 10U manager Keven Kempton. "Without their support, we wouldn't have been able to go to the tournaments. This is something the girls will remember for the rest of their lives."

This year marked the first time that 3 Claremont teams went to Western Nationals. Another first for the Claremont squads was competing in Level "B" play after playing in Level "C" last season.

For the full story, check out today's edition of the COURIER.