Softball: Valencia opens season on high note

Last year's graduation ceremony must have been a little difficult for Valencia Coach Donna Lee to endure, but it looks as if the Vikings are still going to be one of the best teams in Southern Section Division I this season.

Thanks primarily to the efforts of Tennessee-bound pitcher Jessica Spigner and junior Amy Moore, Valencia, ranked No. 9 in the preseason by The Times, opened its season with a doubleheader sweep of No. 20 Camarillo on Tuesday. Go here if you want to know the specifics.

While Tuesday's games went well, Valencia is going to have its hands full trying to defend its Division I crown now that it's officially playing in the post-Jordan Taylor era. Nevertheless, I have a feeling the seven-time Foothill League champions are going to keep it interesting, even though crosstown rival Hart figures to push them all the way to the end. Hmm ... just like last season.

-- Austin Knoblauch