The CIF Southern Section recently updated its playoff divisions in football, girls’ volleyball, boys’ water polo and girls’ tennis, and only two La Cañada High School teams were affected by the new placements.
Using a formula to develop a power ranking that is based on regular-season record, strength of schedule and playoff performances the past two seasons, CIF moved up the LC girls’ volleyball and boys’ water polo squads.
The LCHS water polo team was bumped up to Division 3 after head coach Josh Rodriguez guided the Spartans to a stellar playoff run that ended in in the Division 5 semifinals. They are the highest-rated team in the Rio Hondo League. South Pasadena is the next best team in the league and was placed in Division 4. San Marino moved down to Division 5, Monrovia is in Division 6 and Blair will be competing in Division 7.
The St. Francis water polo squad was placed in Division 6, and Flintridge Prep moved down from Division 4 to Division 5 this season.
The La Cañada varsity girls’ volleyball team, guided by head coach Chris Sullivan, moved down a division after an 11-16 season last fall. The Spartans will compete in Division 4 along with rivals San Marino and South Pasadena. The Wildcats will be in Division 3 and Blair is in Division 5.
The Flintridge Prep and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy volleyball programs won’t see any changes this coming year. The Rebels remain in Division 6, and the Tologs will continue to play in Division 1.
LCHS football coach Jason Sarceda, who was recently hired, will guide a Spartan squad that remains in Division 12. Rio Hondo League opponent San Marino will stay put in Division 6, Monrovia is in Division 7, South Pasadena was placed in Division 10 and Blair will compete in Division 13.
The St. Francis football team also enters the upcoming season with no changes and will compete in Division 3 as the fourth highest-rated team with 411.21 points.
The La Cañada High School varsity girls’ tennis team remains in Division 2, and rival San Marino is in Division 1. Monrovia and South Pasadena were placed in Division 3.
The Flintridge Prep varsity girls’ tennis squad moved up to Division 3 this year after finishing third in the Prep League with a 6-4 record. Flintridge Sacred Heart’s tennis program remains in Division 4.
CIF-SS changed its playoff format last year for most sports and no longer ties leagues to a specific division. With competitive equity playoffs, CIF evaluates each team’s performances the past two seasons and places each squad in an appropriate division.
LC Girls’ Volleyball, Boys’ Water Polo in New Playoff Divisions
