KING CITY — As the year comes to a close, looking back at the 2022 King City High School girls’ volleyball team, one can’t help but wonder “what if.” Although these questions surround the season, that doesn’t take away what they had accomplished this year.
The Lady Mustangs also had a great season and one to remember. They started with a tough pre-season schedule, but beat a few Gabilan Division teams, such as Everett Alvarez.
King City participated in the Gilroy Garlic Fest tournament and ended up in second place, only losing to Mountain View. When they got into league play, they started 5-0. They also played three five-set matches in a row in the championship game, but could not come out on the winning side.
After the tournament, the Lady Mustangs would go 5-1 in their next six matches and seemed to be in a great position to win their first league title since 2013. Unfortunately for King City, Lisa Villanueva would suffer a season-ending injury that would change the fate of the season.
After going through a five-match losing streak, they were able to turn it around on Senior Night with a big win over Monterey, which was a significant factor for them getting into the playoffs.
King City’s six senior players this year — Sage Flores, Lexanna Novoa, Brooklyn Monroy, Allyssa Blacks, Julia Mendez and Daisy Andrade — were all great contributors and leaders on the team.
On the final day of the regular season, the Lady Mustangs ended league play with a remarkable win against the Mission Division league champs Monte Vista Christian for the second time this season, which clinched them the second automatic spot into playoffs.
The Lady Mustangs were the sixth seed in the Division III playoffs and ended up having to travel to No. 3 seed Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco. King City’s season would come to an end after being swept in the match.
Although they knew the task would be hard, they were very excited to get the opportunity to experience playoffs.
The Lady Mustangs had a league record of 8-4, finishing in second place in the Mission Division, and an overall record of 14-8.
At the recent All-League meeting, King City was well represented. Flores and Mendez made the All-League first team, with Flores also named as the Mission Division’s Most Valuable Player.
Teammates Amity Hearne and Janesa Lopez earned spots on the All-League second team, and Villanueva was selected to the sportsmanship team.
