Though Deer Valley High’s varsity boys volleyball prowess has long been known to Bay Valley Athletic League foes, the Wolverines are showing this season that they can take on tough competition from over the hill and win.

Last week, Deer Valley won its third straight non-league tournament, taking first place in the Northgate Invitational. The Wolverines defeated Valley Christian, Contra Costa Christian, Clayton Valley, Granada, Logan and Foothill – the team that owns four of the last five North Coast Section titles.

Most surprisingly – Deer Valley did not drop a set in that tournament.

In the title game against Foothill, senior outside hitters Taylor Higgs and Jason Agopian recorded 17 and 16 kills, respectively. Senior libero Brian Yi was credited with a team-high seven digs.

On Monday, the Wolverines resumed league play with a victory over Antioch in three games – 25-18, 25-14 and 25-12.

Freedom 3, Heritage 0

Freedom toppled Heritage on Wednesday, defeating the Patriots in three games - 25-21, 25-22 and 25-19. Dalton Weger netted five assists, four aces, two kills and three blocks for the Falcons. Jake Ubrick was credited with 10 kills

Anthony Johnson finished with four kills and two blocks.

BASEBALL

Heritage 2, Freedom 0

In a pitchers’ duel between Heritage junior Paul Blackburn and Freedom junior Joe Navilhon, the Patriots (6-4, 1-0 BVAL) came out on top 2-0 on Tuesday.

Both pitchers went all seven innings. Patriots runs in the third and sixth were the difference makers. Blackburn struck out nine and walked none, while Navilhon fanned five for the Falcons (3-8, 0-1 BVAL) and walked one batter.

Liberty 8, Pittsburg 1

Liberty scored quickly and never looked back on Tuesday, defeating Pittsburg 8-1 in the BVAL opener. Freshman pitcher Mitchell Zamora earned his second victory of the year for the Lions (4-7, 1-0 BVAL), striking out six in four innings.

Senior outfielder Will George went 4-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases.

The Pirates fell to 5-5-1 overall, 0-1 against league foes.

SOFTBALL

Antioch 8, Deer Valley 0

Antioch senior pitcher Paris Imholz finished what she started on Tuesday, earning a complete game shutout in an 8-0 over Deer Valley.

As a batter, Imholz went 1-for-2 and coaxed two walks. The Panthers are now 9-2 overall; 1-0 in league play. Deer Valley fell to 1-8 (0-1 BVAL). Junior infielder Nicolette Redfearn and freshman centerfielder Shelbi Graifman each went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

The Freedom girls swimming and diving team’s 402 points earned the Falcons second place at last weekend’s College Park Invitational, held at Pleasant Hill Middle School. College Park tallied 421 points and took home the title. Liberty placed fourth with 265 points.

College Park also won the boys competition, topping Liberty, which came in second.

GOLF

Deer Valley earned second place at Monday’s Freedom Invitational, while Montgomery Santa Rosa claimed the top spot. Heritage placed fifth, Liberty 10th and Freedom 12th. Following a three-hole playoff, Deer Valley golfer Andrew Sirowy took second place, shooting 75 in regulation on the par-71 Shadow Lakes Golf Course in Brentwood. The overall winner was Miramonte’s Kevin Swimmer, who carded a 70.

TENNIS

Piedmont's A team came out on top in last weekend's Freedom Boys JV Team Invitational, beating De La Salle for the title.

The host Falcons lost the third-place game to the Piedmont B squad after beating Deer Valley and falling to Piedmont's A team.

The Heritage A team lost to Piedmont's B squad, then topped Riordan before falling to the B team from De La Salle.