KING CITY — Trailing in their first match of the volleyball season two games to one, the King City Lady Mustangs played better down the stretch and defeated South Monterey County rival Greenfield High in a 3-2 non-league battle.
“There was definitely first-match jitters the first set and then we settled in,” said King City head coach Christine Luna. “We went down two sets to one and the girls really locked in their focus and were determined to win the next two sets the way they knew how. We really started to play Mustang volleyball and pulled out the win. It was a great competition to get the season started.”
Hollyn Hearne led the Lady Mustangs with 19 kills and 17 digs and was credited with four service aces, while teammate Janesa Lopez had a game-high 27 assists.
The Bruins’ Aleena Salas had 18 kills, 21 digs and seven blocks, and Emily Soto added nine kills and 21 digs.
Last weekend King City placed fourth in the gold bracket of the Half Moon Bay Tournament. The Lady Mustangs went 1-1 in pool play, beating Burlingame in a three-set thriller.
“We knew going in it was going to be a tough competition,” Luna said. “Being one of the shortest teams, we knew we were going to have to be steady on defense and dig a lot of hits. We are looking forward to this week as we have two preseason matches.”
Greenfield finished the week with a 2-1 record, defeating Palma 3-1 at home, followed by a 3-0 shutout win over the Oakwood School.
In the Palma match, Salas had a game-high 21 kills and added 10 digs, one block and 10 service aces. Madelaine Guillen led Greenfield with 23 digs, while Soto finished with five kills, eight digs and two service aces.
Against Oakwood, Salas was a force with 18 kills and nine digs, and Lesley Santiago had seven kills, one dig and two service aces.
“It was a great start to the season,” said Greenfield head coach Adrian Trujillo. “The kids played well.”
Gonzales High began the season with a three-set win against the visiting Pajaro Valley Grizzlies at the Roger Fernando Gym last Thursday night. Soledad High begins its season this week.
