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It’s been a long couple of days for the Hemet High Boys Volleyball team. First they had to travel 110 miles through some tough LA traffic to Brentwood on Thursday night to take on the Brentwood High boys team in the second round of CIF playoffs. The boys came away with a sweep and were seemingly getting ready for their quarterfinal game on Saturday.
Boarding the bus again, the 90 degree plus temperature took it’s toll on some of the players while traveling another 95 miles to La Canada to take on the Spartans. After a slow start, the Bulldogs got rolling winning the first two sets. From their, it became a struggle as the boys went on to point and match with the score 24-20, only to be shut out for the next six straight points and losing a set 26-24 to the rejuvenated Spartans. With work to do, the Bulldogs took a bite out of La Canada and matched them point for point before pulling away to a 3 point lead and then finishing off the match, 25-18.
This was a different team that we saw on the floor. Tonight, a tremendous effort was given by the back row of players including Jacob Arana, Kory Labella, Gregor Jicha, Eduardo Villasenor, and Kristian Gallardo. The guys were diving, scooping, and bumping the ball to keep it in play for setter Jacob Hill to get it out to his hitters. Defense on the front line was also key as the bigs’ up front put up some single and double blocks up at crucial times to help keep many runs alive.
Serving, at times was very good, at others, very bad as the boys had over 20 service errors in the four set match; something Coach Bob will definitely have to be working on the in the coming days.
Up next, the Bulldogs will finally have a home match. This time it will be a semi-final match against number one seeded Camarillo. Game time is Wednesday, May 15, at the Ted Smith Sr. Gymnasium on Hemet High’s campus starting at 7:00 p.m.
This year’s team has moved deeper into CIF than any other boy’s volleyball team in school history. Come out and support the Dogs as they try to reach the CIF Finals and a CIF Championship.