Aztecs move into tie for second

PALM DESERT — Natalie Stevenson had 20 kills, 18 digs and four aces to help lead the Palm Desert High School girls' volleyball team to a come-from-behind victory over the Blackhawks on Thursday.

Despite losing the first two games 25-19, 25-18, the Aztecs rallied to win three games in a row, 25-9, 25-23, 15-9 in the final match of the season for both teams.

The victory puts the teams in a tie for second in the DVL with 7-3 records. Which team is the second seed and which team is third is still to be determined. CIF pairings are announced Sunday.

For Palm Desert, Madison Amthor had 35 assists, Ella Merrill had nine kills, Liz Talbot had nine kills and four blocks and Ifueko Igbinedion had eight kills and two blocks.

For La Quinta, Natalie Wilson had 11 kills, Jamey Braxton had 29 digs and Ali Tuller had 21 digs.

“This was a wild one, it was a tough loss. They outplayed us at the end. It's always a big rivalry,” La Quinta coach Ronda Sommaripa said.

Girls' volleyball

Indio 3, Coachella valley 2: The Rajahs squeaked out their first DVL victory of the season, defeating the Arabs 26-24, 12-25, 25-16, 14-25, 15-13.

Veronica De La Torre had a big game with 14 kills, 10 digs, six aces and one block.

Shannon Brooker finished with 16 digs and Emily Morrow added nine kills.

For Coachella Valley, Shantay Silva had four blocks, three kills and six digs, Ivette Rodriguez had 10 digs and three kills, Monique Dominguez had six blocks and four kills and Jackie Baza added 12 digs and four kills.

DESERT CHRISTIAN 3, DESERT CHAPEL 0: Jackie Quintero had eight kills and Abby Ostendorff added eight aces as the Conquerors completed an undefeated regular season in league play, winning 25-10, 25-8, 25-17. Desert Christian (17-2, 12-0) will host a first-round playoff game Tuesday against an opponent to be determined.

MARYWOOD-PALM VALLEY 3, GROVE 0: Lina Ichida had 14 aces and Kelsey Mezrahi had five assists as the Firebirds won 25-12, 25-14, 25-18. Marywood-Palm Valley (17-2, 12-1) travels to face Public Safety Academy today.

Boys' water polo

Palm desert 9, la quinta 8: Terry Zikov had five goals as the Aztecs finished second in the DVL. Mark Pruett had two goals while Bryce Griffith and Austin Corbett had one gal apiece. Garison Covel (seven saves) and Chris Poe (three saves) also contributed. Palm Desert (6-2) will have either a wild card game on Tuesday or a first-round game on Wednesday (to be determined).