SALINAS VALLEY — The first game between the King City and Soledad high school volleyball teams was a thriller, with the Mustang team beating the Aztecs by a 3-2 score last Wednesday in the Soledad gym.
“This was a fun match to play in,” said King City coach Christine Luna. “Loved the back and forth and the exciting extended rallies.”
For King City, Avery Munoz had 16 kills, 19 digs and two blocks. Crystal Paramo and Jocelyn Olivera combined for 14 kills. Bri Zamora added five kills, six aces and two blocks. Jocelyn Jacquez had 10 aces and Alizah Carrillo added 20 digs. Taelyn Munoz filled her stat sheet with 25 assists, 12 digs and six aces.
Soledad was led by Delyah Ocampo with her 10 kills, 12 digs and five service aces. Kaylee Anderson had three kills, three digs, four aces and one service ace. Kya Melendrez finished with six kills, 15 digs and one service ace. Ilene Cortina had eight assists, two kills, 15 digs and one service ace.
The Mustangs won their second division game last Friday, beating Gonzales at home in three games. Avery Munoz had 15 kills and six digs. Bri Zamora added 10 kills, two blocks and two aces. Ella Rubbo added seven kills, and Taelyn Munoz contributed with seven aces and 25 assists.
On Saturday, King City participated in the Bearcat Classic Tournament in San Mateo and finished with a 2-3 record while facing tough competition.
“It was a fun environment to play in against some great teams,” said Coach Luna. “We came away with a lot of confidence and experience.”
With a record of 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Mission Division, the Mustangs are on the road starting with Tuesday’s game at Rancho San Juan in Salinas, and Thursday’s contest in Pebble Beach with Robert Louis Stevenson.
Soledad (10-1 overall, 3-1 in the Mission) rebounded after the loss to King City and beat host North Monterey County, 3-2, on the road last Thursday. Delylah Ocampo finished with 25 kills, and Kaylee Anderson added 12 kills. Ilene Cortina led the Aztecs with 27 assists, while Natalie Banuelos added 15 assists.
Soledad hosted the Watsonville Wildcatz on Tuesday and will play in Salinas against the Alisal Trojans on Thursday night.
In their first game of the week, Gonzales (3-4 overall, 0-4 in the Mission) lost 3-1 to Rancho San Juan on the road. The Spartans hosted North Monterey County on Tuesday and are at Watsonville on Thursday.
The Greenfield Bruins are 1-2 in the Cypress Division with a road game this week at Pajaro Valley on Tuesday and at Everett Alvarez on Thursday in Salinas.
