BANNING, CA – A glance around the fairly new gymnasium in this Riverside County community reveals a remarkable absence.
There are no championship banners for Banning High School’s volleyball team hanging in the new gym, which opened a handful of years ago.
“I don’t think,” said first-year Lady Broncos’ coach Eric Benitez, “they’ve ever won a league championship here.”
That Banning even qualified for this year’s CIF playoffs is somewhat amazing.
Banning’s CIF playoff hopes came down to its regular season finale against Jurupa Valley Rubidoux on Oct. 29, a Thursday night. Earlier in the month, Rubidoux had swept Banning.
Benitez, just over from Beaumont High, called the Oct. 29 showdown “a playoff atmosphere.”
It was Senior Night in a packed gym.
“Emotions were high,” said Benitez, “for our seniors along with the winner of this match going to the playoffs.”
The outcome – 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-17 – in Banning’s favor left the Lady Broncos (9-13, 9-6 Mountain Valley League) in third place. Top three teams from each league make the CIF playoff field.
While setter Destiny Alvarez (30 assists) was setting Jasmine Waters and Alyssa Morales for 26 combined kill shots, Bronco defenders were running down Rubidoux’s attacks.
Between Alvarez, Marvie Flores, Morales and Marcella Banuelos, the Lady Broncos came up with 67 digs against the visitors. From behind the serving stripe, Alvarez delivered six service aces.
When Banning’s libero, Chongli Vang, made a rolling dive to save a shot from Rubidoux’s top hitters, another quick-footed dig came from Mariah McIver, which brought Banning’s home crowd to life.
Those digs set up passes to the setter, Alvarez, who captained the play from that point.
Said Benitez: “We have been trying to distribute the ball more with a balanced attack. We were more diverse and not too predictable.”
There’s an interesting twist, however, for Banning. Vang is the lone key player that’s a senior, leaving plenty of hope for next season and beyond. For now, Banning’s headed for the postseason.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY CHAMPION
Two nights earlier, Banning made a strong push against unbeaten league champion Moreno Valley Vista del Lago, losing 27-25, 25-13, 21-25, 25-21. Banuelos, Alvarez and Morales were all over the floor running down shots from Lady Ravens’ outside hitters Kayla McKinnon and Katherine Cervantes. Joy Pimentel, meanwhile, dug 25 potential kills shots from Banning.
“I believe a rivalry has been struck between us,” said Benitez.
That match, he said, “gave us more game experience … made us wiser. Although we were unsuccessful, it has made us tougher and better prepared for each game.”
Vista del Lago’s second straight league title should not go overlooked. The Lady Ravens (21-5 last season, 20-6 this season) have never lost a match since entering the Mountain Valley League in 2014. This is a powerhouse coached by J.B. Strawn, who has seen to this program since its inception.
In fact, Banning was Vista del Lago’s first-ever victory back in Oct. 7, 2003. Vista del Lago has had one losing season (2012) since 2007.
Against Banning, McKinnon and Kayla Cervantes combined on 28 kills. Pimentel, Kaelyn Kirby, Jessica Spicer, Cervantes and Madasyn Bell converged on 69 digs against Banning’s attack.
Benitez, meanwhile, has been bombarded with texts from former players. Some are telling him that it may well be Banning’s first time in the CIF tournament, “but I am not sure about that.”
It doesn’t change this year’s achievement.
Banning, at least during this century, hasn’t come close to a winning record, which includes this season’s 9-13 overall mark. A third place, playoff-qualifying finish, is off the charts.
“The kids really worked at this,” said Benitez.
Banning could expect a CIF-3A wild-card matchup, which could put the Lady Broncos in a home court setting before embarking into the first round. No wild-card match will leave Banning on the road against a likely high seed.
The Lady Broncos play in the same 3A division as neighboring Beaumont, which plays in the Mountain Pass League long dominated by two-time CIF champion Hemet.
In fact, that could be an interesting prediction for an opening round match – Banning at powerhouse Hemet, a far greater team than even Vista del Lago.
Benitez said, “We’re hoping for a little luck as we move on to the playoffs.”
MOUNTAIN PASS LEAGUE
Benitez’s previous team, Beaumont, brought ex-Lady Cougar Jessica Granados on board as coach this season. Once Beaumont hit league play, only a longtime dominant Hemet High School could match their on-court efforts.
In fact, a Nov. 3 showdown in Hemet wound up a sweep – 25-15, 25-14, 25-21 – for the Lady Bulldogs, who retained their domination of a league they joined in 2010.
Beaumont had taken Hemet to five games – a first for the Lady Cougars – in the initial meeting in the Lady Cougars’ gym on Oct. 15. Prior to that five-gamer, Hemet had swept Beaumont in three straight dating back to 2010, when Hemet joined the league.
Between Hemet’s Grace Johnson (5 blocks) and Jillian Nickels (5 service aces), who combined on 20 kills, the trio of Nickels, Kaelyn Evans and Hanna Christian corralled enough Lady Cougar attacks (51 total digs) to leave setter Camryn Bootsma to notch 20 assists.
