Redondo Union girls volleyball completes epic comeback against Mater Dei

Redondo Union head coach Tom Chaffins said it best:

"This was an exciting night for high school volleyball."

Redondo beat Mater Dei Thursday in a five-set thriller, and it was easy to see why both teams are nationally ranked and the joint top programs, according to the latest Southern Section girls volleyball coaches poll.

The game was played at an exceptionally high level in a jam-packed Redondo gym. Between Redondo senior Nalani Iosia's vicious serves and Mater Dei junior Zaria Henderson's forceful kills, spectators knew they were in for a treat from the get-go.

Mater Dei won the first two sets of the match 26-24 and 25-22.

"We were down 2-9 in the third [set] and it felt like we were on a defibrillator athletically, almost on a flat line," Chaffins said.

From there, Redondo seniors Lauren Osborne and Caitlyn Kyle saw more playing time and anchored the Sea Hawks comeback. Following the seven-point deficit in set three, Redondo trailed 22-24 before ultimately winning 29-27.

"That gave us momentum and probably the momentum for the rest of the night," Chaffins said.

Redondo went on to win set four 25-20 and then set five 15-8.

"It was an electric event. This was so fun," Chaffins said after the match.

For now, Redondo will take the crown as the region's top girls volleyball team, but there's a great chance these teams will meet again in the postseason. This matchup deserves a second act.