Valencia began the day with a thrilling three-game win and ended Friday night with a tough three-game loss at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Tempe, Ariz.

In between, the Vikings girls' volleyball team picked up another win, securing a berth in today's eight-team gold division playoffs.

After outlasting Faith Lutheran 25-19, 21-25, 15-10 in its pool-play opener, Valencia (11-8) knocked off Highland 25-17, 25-23 to set up a first-place showdown with Desert Vista of Phoenix.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, they suffered a 28-26, 25-27, 15-10 setback to finish second, creating a matchup with Arizona's Thatcher High at noon today.

Carly Carapella recorded 78 assists and Brooke Dawson added 45 digs for the Vikings, who received 24 kills and 21 digs from Serena LeDuff, 18 kills from Alexa Schmidt, 16 kills from Emily Ellias and 23 digs from Jolie Stroh.

Westlake and Oak Park were both swept in all three of their pool-play matches.

The Warriors suffered losses to St. Joseph's Academy (25-13, 25-18), Norco (25-13, 25-18), and Corona del Sol (25-17, 25-23).

Oak Park was defeated by Seton Catholic (25-20, 25-16), Freeburg (25-13, 25-19) and to Clovis West (25-17, 25-16).

Viewpoint 3, Buckley 2: Angelica Luczak had 23 kills and 13 digs to lead the Patriots in a 22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-6 Liberty League victory. Katherine Franz added 20 assists for Viewpoint (7-4, 5-0).

Girls' tennis

Granada Hills 7, El Camino

Real 0: The Highlanders (8-1, 8-0) had little drama in their West Valley League win, with the exception of sophomore Analyssa Tallas, who trailed Minda Le 6-2, but rebounded to win the next six games for a 8-6 victory.

Alexandra Tallas, Cassandra Fisbeck and Monique Reid allowed a combined three games in their three victories for Granada Hills.

Boys' water polo

Westlake 14, Calabasas 7: Thomas Turner scored four goals for the host Warriors (8-12, 3-6) in a Marmonte League victory over the Coyotes.

Westlake began the first quarter with three unanswered goals and Domonic Vingale finished with eight saves.

Ryan Sobel scored three goals for Calabasas.