By Derryl Trujillo —
With a week down in the 2022 CIF-SS volleyball season, here is a recap of what went down for Valley News area high school teams.
CIF-SS Watchlists revealed
Last Monday the CIF-SS, in conjunction with their volleyball coaches’ advisory committees for all nine divisions, released the preliminary watchlists and a number of Valley News’ teams found themselves mentioned.
In D1/D2, Vista Murrieta is the only team to make the list. The Broncos, looking for a fourth straight Southwestern League championship, will open the season at Marymount (LA) on Thursday. The Sailors were 35-0 a season ago and won both the CIF-SS and CIF-State D1 titles.
In Division 5 Linfield Christian earns a mention on the watchlist after reaching the playoffs for a third consecutive season in Dana Ortiz’s first season at the helm. The Lions won back-to-back section championships under Eric and Dani Hawes in 2018 and 2019.
In Division 6, first year head coach Luci Villafana’s team gets a mention entering their first season in the Raincross Conference. The Eagles made a final in 2018 under former coach Jim Downey and were quarter finalists in 2017 under Rochelle Short.
After Lakeside made an impressive run to the D9 quarterfinals before falling to Tarbut V’Torah they earned a nod on this year’s D8 watchlist as did Temecula Prep, a quarter finalist in D8 last year.
Area teams win tournament titles
A pair of area teams brought home tournament titles over this past weekend.
At the 22nd annual Dan Quam Memorial Tournament hosted by Hemet, it was Great Oak winning a second straight tournament title under first year head coach Hannah Schaffer. The Wolfpack defeated San Jacinto, Murrieta Mesa, Hemet and Corona Centennial en route to earning championship honors.
Earning the Most Outstanding Player honors this weekend was outside hitter Sarah Wilson. Schaffer said, “Our blocking adjusted well throughout the day and our serve receive was consistent to run our offense.”
They will play Elsinore Thursday, Aug. 25.
Also winning a tournament title was Rancho Christian, who brought home a championship at United Christian Academy’s tournament in Upland.
Player of the Week
Bella Rittenberg (Chaparral)
In the Pumas’ opener last Tuesday against Corona Santiago, the senior recorded fourteen kills, three aces and nine digs as Chaparral won in four sets.
Their second match of the week against Yucaipa was rescheduled to Wednesday of this week due to a back-to-school dance at Chaparral. Pumas coach Gale Johnson remarked via text, “I’m proud of the way our team competed against a talented squad from Santiago. Bella continues to be the heart and soul of our team, leading us in the right direction. She added, “Our entire program is grateful to Yucaipa coach Amber VonKaenel and AD Matt Carpenter for agreeing to reschedule that match from Friday.”
Derryl Trujillo has been a local sportswriter since 2018 and is a 2019 recipient of the IEBCA’s Supporter of the Year award. He can be reached via email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.
