TEMECULA – It’s been a little over two weeks since Rancho Christian (20-6, 5-1) lost a five-set heartbreaker to Paloma Valley, which put the Eagles a game back behind the Wildcats in the standings. Fast forward to Friday, Oct. 6, and after a little soul searching, and some help in the Ivy League universe, Rancho Christian settled the score. This time around it would only take three sets (25-15, 25-19, 25-20), and it would be the Eagles coming out on top with a 3-0 sweep to even things up in the loss column with Paloma Valley (16-4, 6-1).
Junior outside hitter Savannah Thomas (17 kills) and sophomore middle blocker Suzy Kemle (14 kills, 2 aces) led the way for the Eagles as senior Mya Rosas (captain) was a standout for the Wildcats with 12 kills and an ace.
While there isn’t a tie at the top of the standings just yet, things should pan out for a co-title as the final week of the regular season comes to an end. Rancho Christian has two matches left, one against Riverside poly (12-9, 2-4), and one against an Ivy League winless Elsinore team…while Paloma Valley has one game remaining, also against Elsinore (6-14, 0-5).
Things could get interesting with those final matches though, the last time the Eagles faced off against the Tigers, they went five sets, Poly did take Rancho Christian to four sets, as did Elsinore when they faced the Wildcats, so perhaps a spoiler could be on the rise before the CIF Southern Section playoff brackets get announced next weekend.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
