[Photo] Madison Pulsipher (11) scores over Mater Dei’s Layli Ostovar in front of a very enthusiastic Vista Murrieta crowd Thursday, Sept. 8. Valley News/David Canales photo
— With so much going on last week due to the Fairview Fire, schools rallied to not only help support those in need, but Athletic Directors countywide also worked hard to make as many sporting events happen as they could. Here is the update of what went down in prep volleyball for teams inside the Valley News sports coverage area.
Dave Mohs tournament recap
Three Southwestern League teams in Chaparral, Temecula Valley and Murrieta Valley made the trek to Orange County for the prestigious Dave Mohs tournament.
In Division Two, Chaparral took home the tournament title and will enter Southwestern League play on Monday with a perfect 15-0 mark. The Pumas defeated Carlsbad and Laguna Hills in Friday afternoon pool play while adding wins against Long Beach Wilson, Bishop Montgomery and Foothill in Gold Division bracket play.
Bella Rittenberg was named the tournament MVP while Makai Ford earned All-Tournament honors.
It is the Lady Pumas’ first Dave Mohs title and the second for a southwestern Riverside County team in five years (Temecula Valley 2017, Madi Endsley MVP while Jordyn Amoy and Peyton McBride earned All-Tournament selections).
In Division One, Temecula Valley and Murrieta Valley both went 1-1 in last Friday’s pool play session. The Lady Golden Bears recorded a win against Corona del Mar while falling to current state No. 1 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) by twin 25-23 scores. Meanwhile, Murrieta Valley defeated Edison and fell against Mater Dei.
On Saturday, Temecula Valley took a set from Marymount but fell in three sets in Gold Division bracket play and finished the weekend with a win against La Costa Canyon.
Murrieta Valley defeated La Costa Canyon before falling to Marymount. Southwestern League play commences this week.
Player of the Week
Chaparral: Aubrey Bomstad (10) – setter
A lot of the time ‘Player of the Week’ awards focus on hitters with strong weeks but we often neglect setters. After all, without strong setters how do hitters like Bella Rittenberg get the ball? That’s not the case this week as we recognize the Lady Pumas’ sophomore setter.
Coach Gale Johnson said, “Our starting setter went down in the first match of the morning and Aubrey stepped in and ran the offense with very little experience. She was huge today when we needed her.”
Aubrey recorded 42 assists on the day and guided Chaparral to back-to-back three set wins against Bishop Montgomery and Foothill.
CIF-SS Coaches Polls
The initial CIF-SS coaches’ polls were released Monday, Sept. 5, and several area teams were recognized by their divisional coaches with early top ten ranking.
Division 1/2:
- Vista Murrieta
Division 6:
- Rancho Christian
Other: Temescal Canyon
Division 8:
- Lakeside
Other: Temecula Prep
Matches to watch this week
Chaparral at Vista Murrieta: A matchup with two teams that have had entirely different non-league schedules highlights the Southwestern League schedule this week. Chaparral won a Dave Mohs Division 2 title and is undefeated entering Monday play. Vista Murrieta is 0-3 but last time out put quite a scare into Mater Dei, falling in 5 sets.
Rancho Christian at Vista del Lago: The Eagles make their debut in Raincross Conference play against a Ravens team in the Division 8 top ten.
Poly/Riverside at Elsinore: Elsinore welcomes the Bears as they return to the Ivy League after winning a Sunbelt League title a year ago. The Lady Tigers pushed Murrieta Mesa to five sets before falling as head coach Renee Horton continues to develop a new squad after losing ten seniors to graduation.
Derryl Trujillo can be reached via email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.
