After one full week of play, the high school volleyball race is on.

In Week 1, Palm Desert was pushed to five games against Desert Christian Academy and La Quinta needed a team effort to take down Shadow Hills, but perhaps the biggest news came out of the Hemet Tournament.

Defending DVL champ Palm Springs lost in the semifinals to Palm Desert. It was the first time that the Indians have lost to a DVL opponent, either in a tournament or league play, since 2008.

Ironically, that last defeat was also against the Aztecs (the two split games in the regular season). Palm Springs, however, went on the win the DVL title that year and has been undefeated in league play since them, securing three more league championships.

In Hemet, Palm Desert won in three games, 25-22, 23-25, 15-7, advanced to the finals of the event, but finished as a runnerup. The Aztecs fell to Hemet, 22-25, 17-25.

“We never let a bad call or anything else interfere with our play,” said Palm Desert coach Rebecca Willis. “For the first time I saw my team excited to play Palm Springs.”

Palm Desert placed two players on the tournament MVP team; Ruby Park and Courtney Calhoun. Palm Springs had Olivia Mediano.

We’re a week away from the start of league play, but fans can bet on a crucial game almost every week. The first begins with the season opener when Palm Springs host Xavier Prep. These two teams finished 1-2 last year.

Let the games begin.

In other high school news, the weekly CIF polls are out for water polo and cross country.

In Div. 6 water polo, Palm Desert is in at No. 4 and Palm Springs stands at No. 5. The top team is Oaks Chrsitian.

In cross country, only Xavier boys (No. 3) and the Saints’ girls (No. 2) are ranked. Xavier competes in Div. 5.