SALINAS VALLEY — Gonzales and Soledad high school volleyball teams are unbeaten at the start of the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission Division schedule.
The Spartans have a 3-0 record, and the Aztecs are 4-0.
King City has a 3-1 record and Greenfield is 2-1 after a sweep of Coast Union as both teams began Cypress Division play on Tuesday.
Gonzales played just one game last week, defeating Ceiba in the Roger Fernando Gym, 25-14, 25-11, 25-15. Maricruz Bibriesca led the Spartans with six kills, while Juliet Villegas had four kills and two service aces. Ava Mireles and Camilla Ramirez combined for five kills and six aces.
Last Saturday, the Spartans took fourth place at the Sara Hernandez Memorial Tournament at Rancho San Juan High School.
“Our strength comes from how seamlessly we rely on each other’s unique skills, whether it’s a pinpoint set, a relentless dig, or a game-changing kill,” said Gonzales head coach Desiree Baltazar. “We push each other through every tough drill and celebrate every point. By sharpening one another’s game and diving headfirst into the hard work, we continue to bring out the absolute best in each other every time we step onto the court. I couldn’t be more proud.”
On Tuesday, Gonzales traveled to Soledad in the first Mission Division game between the two foes, after press deadlines. A loss will drop one of the teams from the unbeaten ranks.
The Aztecs played just one game last week, beating St. Francis of Watsonville by a 3-0 score. Delylah Ocampo led Soledad with nine kills and finished with five service aces. Kaylee Anderson added eight kills, two blocks and three service aces, while Kyla Menendez contributed with six kills and five service aces.
In games on Thursday, Soledad will play at Rancho San Juan in Salinas and Gonzales will host Robert Louis Stevenson.
Last week the King City Lady Mustangs beat Santa Catalina in four games in Monterey, and then lost at home to Carmel by a 3-1 score.
Against the Cougars of Santa Catalina, King City’s Crystal Paramo had 14 kills and 10 digs and Ella Rubbo had 12 kills. Bri Zamora and Gillian Ewart combined for 17 kills, while Alizah Carrillo and Jocelyn Jacquez combined for 26 digs. Taelyn Munoz and Mily Paramo combined for 42 assists and 30 digs.
At home last Thursday against Carmel, Crystal Paramo had nine kills and 18 digs in the game and Rubbo and Michelle Martinez each had seven kills. Carrillo and Jacquez combined for 26 digs and Munoz and Mily Paramo combined for 30 assists.
“Both matches were great to play in,” said King City head coach Christine Luna. “We had long rallies in both matches that made the games exciting.”
The Mustangs played at Watsonville on Tuesday and will host the Alisal High Trojans on Thursday in the King City gym.
On Saturday, the King City JV volleyball team participated in the Jeff Lamb Spikefest in Milpitas. The Broncos played tough competition from the Bay Area and came home with a plaque for winning their playoff division.
Greenfield swept Coast Union in a home and away series by 3-0 and 3-1 scores. Haylee Serrano had 35 assists in the sweep, while Alexeen Sanchez and Hannah Zavala combined for 58 digs.
The Bruins played Tuesday at St. Francis, and will host the Marina Mariners on Thursday.
