CIF volleyball championship: Hilmar sweeps Elsinore to win Division V title

ORANGE — Hilmar left no doubt this year. One year after losing the California Division IV final in a reverse sweep, the Yellowjackets closed out Elsinore (Wildomar) in three to win the Division V crown.

It was the first state title for Hilmar, which also reached the game's biggest stage in 2018.

"They said 'Hey, coach. Three times is a charm,'" Yellowjackets coach Patti Harris said after the match. "We did a lot of film and strategized ... and I think the girls did a good job at executing."

Emma Gomes led Hilmar (27-16) with 10 kills while Alyssa Colston added seven. Setter Stella Pires had 38 assists and Emma Nyman led the team with 10 digs.

"Obviously we didn't get the outcome we wanted, but these girls fought for every point, genuinely. And to make it to today's game in general was a huge accomplishment for our program; the squad hasn't done it in 136 years," said Elsinore coach Lannie Maffucci, which finished the season (17-18).

Hilmar (27-16) ttook a nip-and-tuck first set win in a set that didn't see either team take a lead of more than three points. The Yellowjackets were down 24-23 before Reese Ahlem inserted herself with a block and a flush on an overpass for a 25-24 lead before freshman Johanna Lawler ended the first set with an ace.

Lawler, who wasn't a part of the team that lost in a reverse sweep, took a deep breath early in the first set ... a reminder to stay in the moment.

"We were playing for our first title and I've struggled all season to stay calm and I really put it on myself to remain calm so I would breathe between every point," she said.

The second set, early, was much like the first with neither team gaining an advantage. Tied at 10, the Yellowjackets pulled to a 16-13 lead before an 8-0 run put the set out of reach.

But it wasn't over yet for Hilmar given the reverse sweep of last season hanging in the ether.

Elsinore opened a 9-5 lead in the third set, before Hilmar clawed back to tied the set at 14. This turned into a 19-14 Yellowjackets lead before Elsinore cut the lead to 19-18 and a Hilmar timeout.

The conversation in the break focused on breathing and staying on task and when Gomes' block hit the floor for the 25-19 set win and title, the breathing turned into an exhale.

"We experienced it with the seniors last year and I think this year we knew we could make it this far again, but we also knew that we were going to win. It wasn't an option for us," Pires said.

Jaycee Hullar led Elsinore with 12 kills while Naomi Le had 13 assists and Melody Meza added 10 assists.