The Monte Vista Christian girls’ volleyball team earned its first league win of the year in sweeping fashion Wednesday night.
Junior outside hitter Jessie Ingram finished with a team-best 11 kills to help lift the Mustangs past Monterey High in three sets 25-22, 25-20, 28-26 in Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division play.
Ingram added four digs and a pair of aces, while teammate junior outside hitter Norah Rondia had two aces, four kills and two blocks.
Senior setter Mayla Miller-Spahn contributed 13 assists, a pair of digs and one ace for MVC, which improved to a 1-3 record in league play.
“We earned our first home win of the season and I’m proud of how our leaders stepped up as the pressures of the match tested us,” MVC head coach Hunter Zeng said in an email. “Our captains Jessie [Ingram] and Gia [Johnson] were courageous and consistent for us tonight.”
Zeng said Miller-Spahn helped lead the Mustangs back in the third set after they fell behind 24-20.
Miller-Spahn served them back to tie the score at 24-all, and she ran their offense in overtime to earn the victory.
“We are excited to see our efforts pay off and will continue to work hard as we prepare for Pacific Grove on the road this Friday,” Zeng said.
MVC bounced back following Monday’s nonleague loss to Alisal that went to five sets 25-19, 16-25, 15-25, 25-21, 15-9.
Ingram led the Mustangs with 13 kills, four aces, one block and seven digs, while Miller-Spahn added 13 assists, five aces and three digs.
Teammate senior middle blocker Amani Keller had 11 kills and five blocks, while senior libero Gia Johnson tallied a season-best 22 digs and three assists.
“Credit to Alisal, they played a great game,” Zeng said in an email. “They were disciplined on the net and got better and better as the night carried on.”
Zeng said he’s proud of how the players handled adverse conditions in a loud environment such as Alisal High.
MVC also welcomed back three players from injury on Monday, and Zeng said each of them contributed on the floor.
“I especially want to highlight sophomores Reagan Kolbach and Savannah Gomez for the consistent enthusiasm they brought tonight,” Zeng said.
Next up, MVC (4-4, 1-3) plays at Pacific Grove (11-2, 4-0) in Gabilan Division play Friday at 6pm.
Santa Cruz 3, Mount Madonna 0: Corwyn Harris had seven kills for the Hawks in a defeat to the Cardinals in three sets 25-16, 25-23, 25-12 in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play Thursday night.
Minami Wu contributed 18 assists for Mt. Madonna, which dropped to an 0-7 overall record this season.
Colette Huynh returned to the court for Santa Cruz roughly one year after she was sidelined with an ACL injury. She finished with five aces and four digs, while teammate sophomore setter Ariya Brinton added four aces and 12 assists.
Sophomore outside hitter Briana Baron had eight kills on 12 attempts, while Georgia Keenan finished with six kills on eight swings for the Cardinals, who improved to a 10-3 overall record this season.
Girls flag football
At Watsonville 31, Pacific Collegiate Charter 0: Junior quarterback Aaliyah Arellano completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for 109 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcatz in their shutout win over the Pumas in PCAL Mission Division play Tuesday.
Freshman quarterback Zoe Saldana added 67 yards passing and one TD score. Senior wide receiver Amaya Silva hauled in three receptions for 53 yards and caught both touchdown passes.
Sienna Arredondo and Jazmin Ontiveros each had a pick-six for the ‘Catz defense. Teammate sophomore safety Cecilia Canela added two more interceptions.
Senior rusher Taylor Alves-Lopez had two sacks, while senior linebacker Evelyn Hernandez-Najera recorded one sack for Watsonville (8-1, 3-1), which hosts Soledad (5-4, 2-2) on Sept. 28 at 5:45pm.
Girls golf
‘Catz fall in PCAL play: Watsonville High juniors Olivia and Abi Sanchez each shot a match-best 41 against host Alisal and Alvarez in PCAL Mission Division play Wednesday afternoon.
The Wildcatz finished with a team score of 258, falling short to Alisal (250) and winner Alvarez (222).
Abi Sanchez earned medalist honors for her finish at the First Tee Monterey County golf course in Salinas. Teammate Emily Borba shot a 55, followed by Cristina Nolasco (58) and Michelle Sanchez-Vaca (63).
Next up, Watsonville plays against Gonzales and North Monterey County in league play Sept. 29 at 3:30pm.
Girls tennis
Aptos 7, at Scotts Valley 0: The Mariners swept the Falcons in SCCAL play Wednesday afternoon.
In singles play, Aptos senior Kiana Safari bested Marta Nadyer Camilo 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1, while teammate Scarlett Loforti earned a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Raquel Sullivan at No. 2.
Kate Deteso pulled past Montserrat Burgos-Saavedra 6-1, 6-7, 1-0 (11-9) at No. 3, while Brooklyn Powers topped Georgia Chetcuti 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4.
The No. 1 doubles tandem of Charlotte Long and Scarlett Stateler swept Lilian Flores and Polina Diaz 6-0, 6-0.
Julia Blevins and Sadi Chapman defeated Konie Lim and Lillian Foss 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2, while Mariner duo Sydney Ayala and Charlotte Silviera secured a 6-0, 6-0 win against Alina Charley and Zicheng Zeng at No. 3.
Next up, Aptos (4-0, 2-0) plays at Harbor in SCCAL play on Sept. 29 at 4pm.
