Yucaipa misses by an inch to CBL rival Redlands

Redlands won the first game, 25-20, and the third game, 25-21, while Yucaipa took the second and fourth games, 25-16, and 25-23. The games went back and forth with the leads changing hands several times. But the fourth game especially was intense.

Yucaipa fell behind early, 4-8, and trailed late, 14-20, and seemed headed for their third loss. But a kill shot by Casey Garrison that ricocheted off two Redlands blockers out of bounds put Yucaipa within a point at 20-21.

Yucaipa took its first lead of the game, 23-22, on a Redlands serve out of court. And then after going up 24-23, Garrison shot a blistering kill into the far left corner for the win.

Time and again throughout the five games, Barham, who finished with 20 kills, came up with the big hit to keep his team alive.

"He had a great game," Diliberto said of her senior who has signed to play volleyball for Kings College in Bristol, Tennessee.

And that set up the fifth game. Both teams tied and exchanged the lead 15 times. And both teams played strong defense at the net, and had some incredibly difficult digs that they some how came up with to keep the ball alive.

Garrison tied the game at 10-10 with a kill. But Redlands surged back ahead, 13-10, on two blocks that deflected off Yucaipa defenders out of bounds, and a scorching kill by Jiffry Malik just inside the end line.

However, Yucaipa came roaring right back to tie the game, 13-13, on Cole Hauso's block and a Redlands miss-hit into the net. Then came the big shot of the game that Diliberto said decided the match.

She held her thumb and forefinger an inch apart. "That tip was out by not even an inch," said Diliberto describing the Yucaipa tip that sent the ball barely over the sideline and gave Redlands its 14th point. "It was so close. We needed to get that point, but we didn't get it. I thought the team that would get the 14th point would win."

Now, to claim at least a share of the CBL title Yucaipa must win both their matches next week against Redlands East Valley and A.B. Miller of Fontana, Diliberto said.

"If we win both matches next week we will be tied for league with Miller," she said. "If we win only one, we will be tied with Redlands for second. If we had won today, we would have only needed to win one of those games next week."

Yucaipa hosts REV (7-4 CBL) on Monday, and then comes the big showdown with Miller (12-2) on Wednesday, also at home. Both matches are scheduled for about 4:30 after the JV teams play.

SCOREBOARD: Redlands defeated Yucaipa, 25-20, 16-25, 25-21, 23-25, and 15-13. Kills - Garrett Barham 20, Casey Garrison 7, Ellery Buck 10, Ryan Saucedo 6. Digs - Seth Hafner 11, Barham 8, Garrison 4, Buck 3. Assists - Tyler McDaniel 23, Cole Hauso 14. Blocks - Saucedo 7, Barham 1, Buck 2, Garrison 1. Aces - Barham 3, Buck 2, Garrison 2.