SALINAS VALLEY — As league play continues, three of the four South Monterey County high school girls’ volleyball teams are in first place currently, and are the favorites to hang up a championship banner in their respective gyms.
Gonzales Spartans
Last season the Lady Spartans won the Santa Lucia Division. After being bumped to the Cypress Division, they have embraced the move and started 6-0 in the league.
Gonzales has been impressive, as only five of their six matches have not gone past the fourth set. The only match to go five sets was when they came back from being down 2-1 against their rivals, the Soledad Aztecs.
Leading the way for the Lady Spartans are Brianna Oliva, who leads the team in assists with 66; softball standout Celeste Camarena, who leads the team in digs with 50; and Angelina Navarro, who leads the team in blocks.
The Lady Spartans hosted St. Francis at home on Monday and will head to North Monterey County on Wednesday.
Greenfield Bruins
After winning the Arroyo Division a year ago, the Lady Bruins moved up to the Santa Lucia Division, and they have not missed a beat, as they are 6-1 in the league.
Greenfield started with six straight wins before losing in their first league game to Oakwood.
Some of the standout players for the Lady Bruins are: basketball standout Ariana Villagomez, who leads the team in assists with 75; Madeleine Guillen, who leads the team in digs with 24; and Latai Matelau, who leads the team in blocks.
The Bruins were expected to have a tough match-up on Tuesday, when they traveled to face Anzar, who is right behind them in the standings. Greenfield will then host Marina on Wednesday.
King City Mustangs
The Lady Mustangs continue to roll in the Mission Division, as they are off to a 5-0 start. The team has a great chance to win their first league title since 2013, when they were in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
King City has already beaten everyone in their division. The most impressive thing is that the Mustangs have not played a fifth set in league.
Leading the way for the Lady Mustangs are Lisa Villanueva, who leads the team in kills with 81; Janesa Lopez, who leads the team in assists with 39; and Sage Flores, who leads the team in digs with 237.
King City hosted North Salinas on Tuesday, after press deadlines. The Mustangs will then travel to Pacific Grove on Thursday.
Soledad Aztecs
After starting league play 4-0, Soledad has dropped their last two matches to Gonzales and Seaside.
In the Gonzales match, the Lady Aztecs looked great as they won two straight sets after losing the first, but unfortunately, they lost the match in five sets.
The good news for the Aztecs is that they have already passed their win total from a year ago and have a good chance for a playoff berth.
Soledad traveled to Salinas to play Rancho San Juan on Monday, and will head to Pacific Collegiate in Santa Cruz on Wednesday.
