TEMECULA – The Rancho Christian girls volleyball team is firing on all cylinders as it prepares to enter Ivy League competition, extending its winning streak to ten games after a pair of tough non-league victories against Southwestern League opponents this past week.
The Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the CIF-SS Division 5 polls, started their week with a dramatic back-and-forth battle against Murrieta Mesa on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Rancho Christian entered the contest with eight consecutive wins and was pushed to the brink by the Rams. The teams traded sets, but the Eagles secured the victory in the decisive fifth frame, winning the match 3-2. The final set scores were 25-17, 22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-3.
The hard-fought win ended Murrieta Mesa’s own five-game winning streak. For the Eagles, Celeste Kemle was a key contributor, leading the offense with 18 kills and 29 assists. She also made her presence felt from the service line, recording four aces, a mark she shared with teammate Brighton Richards.
The loss for Murrieta Mesa (12-2-2) did not overshadow the efforts of Sade Valencia, who had 12 digs and two aces, and Livie Corelli, who added 12 digs and one assist. The win moved Rancho Christian’s record to 11-3 at the time.
Two days later, the Eagles returned to their home court for a matchup against Great Oak and delivered their most convincing victory of the season. Rancho Christian swept the Wolfpack 3-0 on Thursday, Sept. 4, with the team’s performance improving with each set. The Eagles won with scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-5.
Sophomore Janiah Burrage powered the offense for the Eagles, finishing the match with 13 kills. Kemle again directed the attack, providing 20 assists. Mackenzie Duguid and Kemle led the team with four aces each. The win improved Rancho Christian’s overall record to 12-3. For Great Oak (6-5), the defeat marked its fourth consecutive loss on the road.
Both teams are now turning their attention to the start of their respective league schedules.
The Southwestern League standings heading into league play are led by Temecula Valley (6-0), followed by Murrieta Mesa (12-2-2), Murrieta Valley (5-3), Great Oak (6-5), Vista Murrieta (4-6), and Chaparral (2-4). Great Oak will open its league slate at home against Vista Murrieta on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m. Murrieta Mesa also quickly rebounded from its loss to the Eagles, defeating San Jacinto 3-0 on Sept. 4.
In the Ivy League, Paloma Valley holds the best overall record at 17-2. The rest of the standings are Poly (10-5), Rancho Christian (12-3), Hillcrest (9-8), Liberty (8-6), and Arlington (4-8). Rancho Christian, currently ranked 33rd in California by MaxPreps, begins its Ivy League schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 10, with a home game against Liberty. The match is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Before starting league play, the Eagles met Beckman on Friday, Sept. 5, but the result was not available at press time.
Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com.
