KING CITY — Lisa Villanueva, the 18-year-old daughter of Mac and Heidi Villanueva of King City, was recently named as a first-team All-State Small School softball player by Cal-Hi Sports.
Villanueva will be headed to Southern California next month to attend Fullerton Junior College, where she will study and play softball.
The King City High School Class of 2024 graduate was selected as a Cal-Hi Sports All-State second-team softball player for the 2021-22 season and has been a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic League All-League teams in the Cypress and Mission divisions.
At Fullerton, Villanueva will play on the defending 2024 3C2A State Championship softball team.
“I am very excited to be playing at Fullerton, they run a great program with a positive vibe,” Villanueva said. “I visited the school and watched a double-header this spring and their attitudes and energy was something I wanted to be a part of. I want to play either corner infield and possibly venture out to the outfield.”
During her senior year, Villanueva established a new career home run record as she hit 36 dingers as a member of the Lady Mustangs softball team. The county record was previously 32 home runs and was held by Annie Alderete.
Villanueva also holds the Monterey County single season home run record, as she smashed 14 home runs in her sophomore year.
Villanueva began playing softball as a youngster and quickly found out that it was her sport.
“I was 7 years old when I started playing in the King City Recreation League,” she said. “I decided that softball would be my primary sport after my first full year of travel ball. I have been playing travel ball since I was 9 years old. Both of my parents are big time softball parents; they loved the whole travel softball era that we shared together. During the college softball season, that’s all we watch on TV at home.”
After an outstanding high school career at King City that included All-League, All-Monterey County and now All-State recognition, Villanueva can’t wait to begin her college-playing career at Fullerton.
“I am beyond excited to play for a team coming off the season that they just had,” she said. “I know what the expectations are and I want to contribute and help and have another successful year.”
