Rancho Mirage rallies to beat St. Monica, advances to CIF volleyball semifinals

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) -- Rancho Mirage girls volleyball rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat St. Monica Academy in the CIF Southern Section Division 9 quarterfinals, earning a spot in the semifinals.

The Rattlers, who captured the Desert Valley League title this season, found themselves in a tough position after the Crusaders won the first two sets.

But Rancho Mirage responded in the third set, finding its rhythm and building momentum for a comeback.

The Rattlers dominated the fourth set, at one point taking a 22-9 lead before closing out a 25-12 victory to force a decisive fifth set.

After a back-and-forth final set, Jaylah Hawkins-Alvarez delivered the decisive kill to seal the 15-11 win and send Rancho Mirage into the semifinals.

Rancho Mirage was one of three local Division 9 teams to win their quarterfinal matchups.

Desert Christian Academy and Twentynine Palms also earned road victories and will face each other in the semifinals.

SEMIFINAL SATURDAY - CIF-SS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

• D9: Cornerstone Christian at La Quinta
• D10: Twentynine Palms at Desert Christian Academy
• D10: Azusa at Rancho Mirage

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