After routing all of their competition at the morning pool play, our HCS 18U team confirmed their top seed status by achieving an afternoon bye at playoff bracket play. In second round play, they again soundly defeated the Christian Heritage Knights (Norco area) being led by the “Irresistible Forces” of the Hedgecock brothers (Jake and Jordan) and “Immovable Objects” middle play of Shadrach Salazar and Jake Ryan. With Jake H. strategically placing distributing sets to all attack positions, the crowd ooh’d to the thunderous spikes of Jordan and the quick hammers from both Shad and Jake R.

The Mustangs then waited for the likely rematch with their top nemesis – the West Coast “Ikaika” team who was the tournaments 2nd seed. However, instead it was the West Coast “Eclipse” team that went on to the finals. WC Eclipse beat the WC Ikaika for the first time of the season winning a hard fought tie-breaker game to upset Ikaika 2-1 in semi-finals play. So the finals was set – the powerful HCS Mustangs of San Diego versus the scrappy WC Eclipse of Sacramento.

Power won over as the Mustangs completed their domination winning both games to become the CHSS California State 2021 Champions! The Mustangs closed the season only losing one match in the entire season, and that was in the National’s. This may have been the best HCS Mustang Boys’ Varsity season ever guided by the savvy strategic brilliance of Coach Joseph Quileza and the inspirational support of coach Ferdie Hembrador.

In addition to the all-tournament play of Jake Hedgecock (our only senior player), Jake Ryan, Jordan Hedgecock, and Shad Salazar, the production of Caleb Discar, Caleb Nutting, Josh Hembrador, and Gabriel Guzman was also recognized for their solid performances. The all-out efforts by the back row led by Mustang Libero Caleb Nutting and last year’s Libero Caleb Discar (who also had monster spikes as the other outside hitter), as well as poundings by Opposite Hitter starter Gabriel Guzman. With gung-ho mindset, Josh help lead the team in the early pool rounds. The team could not achieve this dominant play without physicality Ezekiel Vannoy blocks and hits, the opposite hitting and back row “going all-out” contributions by Ethan Alm, and the continued development of Cameron Linstad who ended the tournament with one of the biggest booming spikes of the tournament.

Our Seniors: Malia #12 was our solid and dependable Defense Specialist. We missed her during the finals, but we thank her for all her help to get us there! Chelsea #36 is our amazing setter who picks up a lot of trash and puts it into a usable play. Christianna #42 is an outside hitter who can also serve some mean ones. Lauren #27 has newly joined the team this year and serves us well as a middle with a smile that’s as wide as her arms are high. Savannah #25 is also a newcomer and middle whose aggressive blocking saves the back row a lot of grief! Aleah #38 is our all around player, opposite, and outside whose versatility is a great strength.

In the finals, Alana (#42) did a phenomenal job with 16 ace serves, Chelsea with 6 against the Falcons, soundly defeating them 25-12 and 25-10. Christianna and Libero, Joanna (#51) seemed to be competing for most passes against Spirit with team setter Chelsea raking in 4 kills and 2 blocks for a win of 25-12 and 25-20.

In the first two sets of the championship game, Joanna had 19 beautiful passes, Maggie (#20) crushed 6 and Christianna 4 kills, whilst Chelsea blocked 3 and the winning block by Savannah wrapped up the intense 3rd set and the win of 15-12.

The second set of the championship against Legacy showed how much spirit can make a difference in performance. The Legacy team started out with wild cheering on their side for every success, their boys team joining into the cheerleading, and they ended up with the win of the second set ,17-25. This was a bit intimidating for us when we had just won without too much effort. However, a favorite memory of every Mustang team member was our incredible fans stepping up the spirit in a big way! It really made a difference for us. They surrounded the court from one side to the other joining in a cheering war. This really re-energize the team!

The concerned coaches were so busy watching and coaching the intense third set that stats understandably fell to the wayside. Christianna remembers a kill she savored; Addie (#5) remembers a game ball dropped between four players when the setter got the first ball. Maggie’s pep talks to the team were at least consistent (inside joke). Katie Nutting #19 (forced to watch while recovering from earlier season injuries) loved watching Maggie’s pipe hits that were on fire. Everyone’s favorite play was Savannah’s winning block that caused the stands to run out and surround the team with wild celebration and brought strong emotions of relief and joy for team and coaches alike! As Savannah says, “That game was the best way to end the season!” We will miss each of you seniors next year!

Great teamwork and perseverance, Ladies! Superb guidance and orchestration of the season, Coaches! Powerful encouragement, HCS fans, and parents! You all made a huge difference! And thanks be to God for each and every one of the abilities He has given to us. May we all give Him the glory He deserves for all His provision, enabling, safety, and lovingkindness enjoyed by each of us to participate in this fun event!