ORANGE — Something had to give Saturday in the CIF Division IV final at Santiago Canyon College.
Hilmar had eked out 26-24 wins in the first two sets.
South Pasadena returned the favor with two dominating wins in sets three and four.
The fifth set went to South Pasadena as the Tigers pulled off the reverse sweep 24-26, 24-26, 25-14, 25-16, 15-8.
South Pasadena might've been more comfortable being down as the Tigers entered the postseason at 10-15 before running off an 8-1 match run to win their first title.
"We told them that they could write the ending to their story, that this is your chapter," South Pasadena coach Ivy Chew said.
And like a good suspense novel, the Tigers faced some adversity in losing the first two sets. They led in each of the first two sets only to see Hilmar get enough to get the victories.
Evan Taylor led South Pasadena to the CIF Division IV title on Saturday with 30 assists, 14 kills and 18 digs. The Tigers pulled off the reverse sweep on Hilmar for their first volleyball title. (Photo: Rene Morales)
"We got some momentum in the third set," Chew said. "In order to create some momentum, we look at what it takes to get to 11 points and then 12. Small victories."
And the small wins added up to the school's first title.
"It's a tough and we all know it," said Hilmar coach Patti Harris. "They started strong in the third game and you could feel the energy shifting over."
South Pasadena got its hitters rolling in the final three set as four hitters ended the match in double-digit kills.
Senya Dorny led the way with 16,
Evan Taylor and
Ava Conti each had 14 and
Bella Ventura added 12. Additionally, Taylor had 30 assists and 18 digs while Conti had 16 digs and
Ella Garner had 22 digs.
