On October 14th, 2022, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Mustang volleyball partnered with Katz Cancer Resource Center for their critical and hugely anticipated PCAL matchup against Stevenson. All the proceeds from the gate and concessions for the evening went towards the Katz Cancer Resource Center. To support the cause, many volleyball families brought pink baked goods and treats for game attendees to buy. Moreover, students bought pink socks and came to the game decked out in pink. Previously, after losing the first two sets, Monte Vista Christian had beaten the Stevenson pirates on their own ship in a five set thriller. Despite losing one of their starting outside hitters to injury, on the Wednesday before the game, the Pirates had beaten King City, which is the mustang’s only league loss. Thus, the Mustangs were catapulted into first place in their league rankings. However, in order to keep the Mustang’s CCS and league title hopes alive, they had to beat Stevenson. Packing the gym with pink, the student section was the largest so far this season, giving the Mustangs an edge over their opponents. After the energetic semantics of the Mustangs’s pre-game warm up was over, a moment of silence was held to honor those battling breast cancer. Then, each team gave pink roses to breast cancer survivors in the crowd and linked arms to symbolize a collective stand against Breast Cancer. Finally, junior varsity volleyball player Kaitlyn Ribero sang the national anthem to kick off the game. 

Serving first, the Mustangs battled their hearts out in the first set. Each team went point for point until the end of the set after the Mustangs scored 4 consecutive points at 16-17 to give them a 5 point lead before comfortably closing the set out 25-20. In just the first set, Outside Hitter Elizabeth McCuistion had 6 kills. After hitting into the net a number of times, the Stevenson players complained that the net was too high. It was not. For the second set, the mustangs stayed consistent and had the lead for most of the set before winning it 25-20. With increasing confidence and nearly perfect passing, the mustangs were unstoppable in the third set. The crowd went wild when middle blocker Abby Raider stuff blocked Stevenson’s tallest player not only once, but twice in a row. Cruising to a perfect sweep, the mustangs beat the pirates 25-16 in the third set. After the game, sophomore setter Hailey Gomez stated,

“I think last night’s game had a great turn out. We got a lot of people to come and support both the volleyball team and breast cancer survivors. Overall I think we played pretty well and staying consistent will be key in our next matches. As a team I think our goal is to continue to win and hopefully make it to CCS. I wanted to thank our coach for helping us succeed and I’m excited for the games to come!” 

Additionally, rightside hitter Bentley Stackhouse stated,

“I am so humbled by the energy and effort of my teammates. The hard work put in is obvious on the court. It was a great game for an amazing cause and I hope we can continue to do things like it in the future.” 

To ensure a spot in the CCS division IV playoffs, the mustangs must win the mission division league title. Currently, they are in line to do so. If they win their next three games, they are for sure going to CCS. However, next week, the mustangs have two tough away games. On Tuesday, they play North Salinas and on Thursday they play league title contenders Pacific Grove. Then, the week after, the mustangs finish off their in league games with King City on Tuesday for senior night. In total six seniors will be graduating from the team. However, King City is the only in league loss for the mustangs, and since King City’s crowd is a main cause for their home game wins, the mustangs hope the student section will be packed.