Hemet took the first two games easily 25-11 and 25-6. Connelly came back from a 5-0 deficit in the third game and won 21-25, but Hemet won the fourth game and match 25-11.
Hemet’s first round game in the CIF State Girls’ Division III Championship will be 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Cathedral Catholic (31-4) in San Diego. Cathedral is seeded number one in the eight team southern bracket. The winner will play Saturday, Nov. 26 against either Polytechnic (25-4) of Pasadena or Independence High School (23-16) of Bakersfield.
On Thursday, before the Southern Section finals, Hemet Principal Dr. Emily Shaw said, “I think that my [volleyball] team is awesome, not just as players but they are outstanding women as well. Each displays tremendous character, leadership and academic prowess. The accomplishment of our women’s volleyball team is outstanding. Most athletes dream of “making it to CIF.” My girls can say they not only made it, but they won it and they are on track to do it again.”
A year ago, Hemet defeated Upland Church Academy, the then defending 4A champions, for its first Division 4A Southern section crown. Only four players returned this year from the 2010 championship team. The repeat champions will play their first state championship round Tuesday, Nov. 22. Eighty teams from throughout California will compete for five championships.
