It’s now or never for Watsonville High senior Daisy Cornejo as she enters her fourth year with the girls’ volleyball team.
And the same can be said for nine other Wildcatz seniors aiming to leave their mark in what they hope will be a successful 2024 campaign.
“One thing I really love about these girls is that we’ve been together, and we have history together,” Cornjeo said. “We all love the sport and we all want that win at the end of the day.”
The ‘Catz beat cross-town rival Pajaro Valley on Sept. 10 in a thrilling non-league match that went the distance. Watsonville won in five sets (24-26, 25-16, 25-16, 15-25, 15-7).
“It was a good fight and it was a good experience for all the girls to have. Just putting up that fight and working together,” Cornejo said.
Cornejo has been a consistent leader both on and off the court. Her dedication to the sport is undeniable fueled by a lifelong love for the game.
Cornejo grew up in the sport being around her older sister and current ‘Catz head coach, Crystal Cornejo-Perez, who also played all four years at Watsonville along with three years of club volleyball with Faultline and Watsonville Starlings.
Cornejo’s biggest attributes are her work ethic and positive attitude.
“[Cornejo’s] been my leader for the past years just because she has more of a positive attitude and she’s always talking to the core,” Cornejo-Perez said. “I just expect her to continue leading her team in a positive way, and Leslie [Renteria] just doing the same in the back row, and then Sophie [Murillo] learning from them.”
Cornejo anticipated playing a leadership role knowing it’s her last year donning a ‘Catz uniform. One goal for her is to help lead teammates as best possible, especially the younger ones.
Assisting Cornejo are fellow team captains Leslie Renteria, a senior, and junior Sofia Murillo.
“Leslie [Renteria] has always been my Day 1. On the court we just always connect. We trust each other a bunch and it’s because of that history we have,” Cornejo said. “[Murillo] made a big adjustment, and I’m really proud of her for that because she got taken from one position to another, and she adjusted to it.”
Previously an outside hitter, Murillo stepped into the setter role this season when the ‘Catz needed one.
“I just want to get [Murillo] more confident in being a leader since next year we’re losing 10 seniors. I need somebody to step it up, so she’s in training,” Cornejo-Perez said.
Murillo made the leap from the freshman team straight to varsity as a sophomore in 2023. Cornejo-Perez mentioned how Murillo is incredibly adaptable, taking on any position she’s assigned.
Murillo volunteered to set during open gyms while practicing diligently both in the gym and at home. Cornejo-Perez is impressed to see how much her new setter has progressed.
Renteria, a senior, is the leader in the back row and the primary libero. The three-year varsity player has an upbeat spirit and a passion for volleyball that also runs deep coming from a family of volleyball players.
In addition to her defensive skills, Renteria is a team player who brings energy and encouragement to every practice and match.
A pair of standout sophomores in Alynna Arellanes and Ximena Martinez Molina are making a big splash on the team.
“They’re not scared. [Arellanes and Martinez Molina] know they’re on varsity and they’re ready to dominate every single time,” Cornejo said. “Usually underclassmen come in a little scared, a little timid, but they’re all in for it. They know what varsity is and they’re just ready to fight. I’m really proud of them.”
In 2023, Arellanes jumped up from the freshman team to varsity. She quickly established herself as a strong outside hitter.
Martinez Molina moved up from the JV team and is developing into a formidable middle blocker. She’s consistently ready to protect the net with her blocking, and like Arellanes, she’s very coachable, Cornejo-Perez said.
Cornejo-Perez said both underclassmen bring energy, enthusiasm and a strong work ethic to the team.
Cornejo said the ultimate goal is to just keep winning, starting by defending the home court and earning as many league wins as possible.
“Overall, just dominate,” she said. “It’s gonna take a lot of hard practice, a lot of conditioning. Honestly, building the bond that we have together and talking to each other. And just trusting each other on the court.”
The ‘Catz are shooting for the stars this year, and why not? Loaded with experience, they’re aiming for both a Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division crown and a trip to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Watsonville got off on the right foot to begin league play following a victory in three sets (25-13, 25-15, 25-19) over Soledad on Sept. 12.
The rest of the Mission Division includes Alvarez, Alisal, Gonzales, Monterey and Seaside. It also features Palma, which is competing for the first time in girls athletics since it was a co-ed school 60 years ago.
“I think we always say it but we’re shooting for CCS. Especially because we have 10 seniors, and they want to just give it one last hurrah,” Cornejo-Perez said. “What we’ve seen these past few weeks…our team is pretty capable of getting there and doing their best as long as we’re going up the roller coaster.”
