Hemet, CA — Redlands defeated Hemet at Hemet 3-0, 25-18, 25-17, 25-22. In a thrilling match that showcased exceptional teamwork and skill, the Redlands High School Varsity Girls Volleyball team secured a resounding victory over Hemet High School on August 17, 2023. The match, held at Hemet High School, concluded in three consecutive sets, affirming Redlands High School's dominance on the court. Redlands won 25-18, 25-17, 25-22. Redlands remains undefeated at 6-0. The Hemet Bulldogs are now 3-4 on the year. Redlands had a starting six in the first set of Saniyah Sobers, Ava Reyes, Julia Tolstova, Eva Larrondo and setter Chloe Coffin. Lauren Reiter did not play the majority of the game because of an upper respiratory illness, but played at the end of the third set. The second set mirrored the first, with Redlands maintaining their momentum and executing an array of strategic plays that left Hemet struggling to keep up. By the third set, Redlands High School was down. Though the Terriers were down 17-19 in the third set, a substitution of junior setter Lauren Reiter helped the team turn it around. Hemet served out, and after a Saniyah Sobers serve, Hemet’s 6-2 junior middle Haeden Baker tooled it off the Terriers, Redlands would work their comeback magic. Julia Tolstova tipped it over on a Lauren Reiter set and Hemet could not handle the ball. Now tied 20-20, sophomore libero Ava Reyes served it in, and the team had a long rally, including a spectacular dig by junior defensive specialist Eva Larrondo, Hemet’s outside hitter free balled it out over Redlands’ end line. Ava Reyes’ second serve was in, but Hemet’s Baker hit it down, resulting in an overpass out by Redlands. Hemet led the first set 21-20, and served the ball in to Saniyah Sobers, who passed it to Lauren Reiter who set Julia Tolstova for a quick kill. Junior Lauren Reiter served the ball in, and Hemet again set junior Baker, who was blocked by junior middle blocker Jada Bolden. Now leading 22-21, Lauren Reiter served again, and Hemet’s outside hitter attempted a kill, tipped by Julia Tolstova, with a dig by Lauren. Libero Ava Reyes bump set the pass to Julia Tolstova at outside, and Julia hit the ball to the opposite corner so hard, the Hemet line judge was hit in the face off the bounce. At triple match point, Lauren Reiter served the ball in, but Baker hit off the block, and the Terriers could not reach the deflection. With Hemet’s Baker substituted out on a libero swap, the Bulldog’s libero served it to Saniyah Sobers, who passed it to Reiter, who set Julia Tolstova, who hit it to Hemet’s right side who was unable to dig the ball. The Terriers won the set 25-22 after being down Senior pin Julia Tolstova had 19 kills to lead the Terriers. Junior Chloe Coffin started and had 29 assists, her season high. Sophomore libero Ava Reyes led with 22 digs. Junior OH Saniyah Sobers had four aces. Senior MB Olivia Estes had two blocks (one block solo, and one block assist) Coach Corinne Flowers expressed her pride in the team's performance, stating, "Our girls have been putting in tremendous effort on and off the court, and it's truly rewarding to see their hard work pay off. The victory against Hemet is a testament to their dedication and passion for volleyball.” Looking ahead, the Redlands High School Varsity Girls Volleyball team is gearing up for two highly anticipated matchups. On Tuesday August 22, they will face off against Serrano High School in Phelan. Serrano squeaked by Redlands East Valley High School on Saturday, August 19, 2023 in a 3-1 match that saw REV leading late in the first and fourth sets, and winning the third set. Following the clash with Serrano High School, the Redlands team will continue their journey on August 24 with a match against Riverside Poly High School in Riverside. Redlands has beat Poly four times dating back to August 2018. The Poly Bears have not defeated Redlands since they September 28, 1989 in Citrus League Play.