The Temecula Valley Golden Bears are proving themselves a force to be reckoned with this season. With an impressive 11-2 overall record and an undefeated 4-0 in league play, the Golden Bears have showcased their skill and determination on the court.

The team opened their Southwestern league season on September 16 with a commanding 3-0 sweep over Vista Murrieta. The Golden Bears set the tone early, taking the first set 25-12 and following up with wins in sets two and three by scores of 25-14 and 25-15. The big hitting of Savannah Sheridan and the defensive prowess of Maddy Snow were instrumental in securing the victory.

Temecula Valley continued to build on that momentum last week in non-league play. On Thursday, Sept. 26, they faced Ontario Christian, a team known for their strong performance at home. However, the Golden Bears proved to be too much for the Knights, emerging victorious with a 3-1 win. The final scores of the match were 25-12, 25-15, 24-26, and 25-21.

Key players Stephanie Gonzalez and Brooklyn Pierce played a pivotal role in the Golden Bears’ triumph over Ontario Christian. Gonzalez racked up 23 assists, while Pierce contributed 20 assists. Their teamwork and coordination were evident throughout the match, helping to maintain Temecula Valley’s winning edge.

This victory marks the Golden Bears’ seventh win in their last eight matches, giving them a significant boost in their successful season. Meanwhile, Ontario Christian saw their six-game home win streak come to an end, dropping their record to 15-5.

Looking ahead, Temecula Valley is set to challenge Murrieta Valley this week. Both teams are undefeated in league play, with a 4-0 record. The Golden Bears are riding high on a four-game road winning streak and are eager to extend it. The matchup between these two red-hot teams will have taken place early in the week, after this article has gone to print, but updates will be online last in the week and promises to be an exciting contest.

Temecula Valley’s Maddy Snow (6) and Shannon Frary (18) team up to block the shot of Charlotte Underwood in Monday night’s sweep of the Broncos. Valley News/David Canales photo

Murrieta Valley has also been impressive this season, recently sweeping Chaparral 3-0. The Nighthawks displayed consistency by keeping Chaparral between 16 and 19 points across the sets, with final scores of 25-19, 25-16, and 25-18. This victory pushed Murrieta Valley’s record to 19-6 and marked their fifth straight road win.

The upcoming clash between Temecula Valley and Murrieta Valley is highly anticipated, as both teams have shown remarkable performance and consistency. With the Golden Bears aiming to continue their winning streak and the Nighthawks looking to defend their unbeaten league record, fans can expect a thrilling and competitive match.

Temecula Valley’s success this season can be attributed to their strong teamwork, strategic play, and the exceptional performance of key players. As they prepare to face Murrieta Valley, the Golden Bears are focused and determined to add another win to their impressive record.

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JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and head of the Sports Department for the Valley News. As a former Southwestern League head baseball coach, and former President of the Temecula Youth Baseball league (TYB), JP was also a local on-air radio personality at All Pro Broadcasting and was a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When not covering local, or national sports, JP also works for the Media Technology Department for Major League Baseball.