Lucerne Valley High School 2022-23 sports officially kicked off on Monday with the Lady Mustang Volleyball team taking on former LVHS players in the annual Alumni Volleyball Game. While the alumni team — which consisted of many former high school stars — prevailed, the young high school team demonstrated drive, toughness and skill.
The alumni team jumped out to an early lead, taking the first two games over our varsity team, 16 to 25 and 19 to 25. But in the third set freshman Amaya Kelly with her serves, and senior Kailey Quintero who would play some of her best volleyball of the night, helped the Lady Mustangs take the 3rd set, 25 to 20.
The fourth set would be a back and forth match up, with some great rallies along the way. With the scored tied at 21 apiece, our Lady Mustangs would play tough, but the alumni team would get a few more kills and take the fourth set 25 to 22 and taking the game, 3 games to 1.
With Co-Athletic Director Brandon Barkley refereeing, Assistant Superintendent/Co-Principal Nate Lambdin introduced the current and alumni players:
Current members of the Lady Mustang volleyball team: Kailey Quintero (senior), Tatum Vacca (senior), Itzel Ramirez (junior), Justice Rodriguez (junior), Shyann Kerestessy (junior), Zoey Davis (sophomore), Chloe Evans (sophomore), Jasmine Suarez (sophomore), Jayden Bruce (sophomore), Cheyanne Watson (sophomore), Alyssa Jackson (freshman), Amaya Kelly (freshman), Kaiylin Crisp (freshman), Emmmori Williams (freshman).
• Vanessa Valenzuela (LVHS 2016) — A member of the Agape League Champion 2015 squad, Vanessa attended Cal State San Bernardino and currently works at Lucerne Valley Elementary School.
• Ruby Thompson (LVHS 2021) — A member of the All-League First Team in 2020, she currently plays basketball at Copper Mountain Community College.
• Katie Powell (LVHS 2006) — Katie was a member of the undefeated 2003 Desert Mountain league championship team, which also won the championship in 2004-05. She attended Cal state University of Dominguez Hills, is a real estate agent and farmer and is getting married in two months.
• Destynie Urrutia (LVHS 2016) — One of the most accomplished athletes from LVHS, Destynie was an outside hitter for the Lady Mustangs who as the League MVP in 2015 led Lucerne Valley to an Agape League Championship. She attended California State University Chico and works as a personal trainer who enjoys competing in CrossFit.
• Kristiana Muller (LVHS 2006) — Kristiana, a libero, was a member of the 2004-05 Desert Mountain League champions. She attended Grand Canyon University. She works at Sandia Elementary and is a volleyball coach.
• Elizabeth Shadwick (LVHS 2010) — Elizabeth attended Utah State University and works at Carmel Elementary School. She loves all things Harry Potter and Disney.
• Courtney Robinson (LVHS 2017) — A setter, Courtney works for Realty One Group Empire.
• Kim Morales (LVHS 2016) — An outside hitter and libero, Kim was a member of the 2016 Agape League Champions. She attended Cal State Fullerton and UCLA and works at LVMHS.
• Christina Lindsey (LVHS 2006) — Christina was a setter for the 2004-05 Desert Mountain League champions and was named Second Team All-League. She attended La Sierra University and works at Big Bear Vacations.
• Krystian Otwell (LVHS 2020) — Another highly decorated former Mustang, she is an outside hitter who currently attends Westmont College.
• Andrea Garcia (LVHS 2022) — An outside hitter, Andrea currently attends the Victor Valley College nursing program.
• Alejandra Cortez (LVHS 2018) — Alejandra is a libero who attended Cal State San Bernardino and currently works at the LVUSD.
• Sarah Courtney (LVHS 2004) — Sarah was a middle blocker on the undefeated 2003 Desert Mountain league champion team. She was named to the All-League 2nd Team. Sarah attended San Joaquin Valley College of Nursing. Currently she serves as Assistant Varsity Coach of the LVHS volleyball team and was head coach of the LVMS volleyball team and assistant LVHS softball coach.
• Amanda Nichols (LVHS 2006) — Amanda is a member of the Lucerne Valley Athlet
ic Hall of Fame. She works at the LVUSD and currently is head coach of the Lady Mustang volleyball team.
• Casandra Woods (LVHS 2003) — A middle blocker, Casandra was a member of the 2003 undefeated Desert Mountain League Champions and 2004-05 Desert Mountain League Champions.
• Elissa Otwell (LVHS 2022) — Elissa is a middle blocker who was named All-League 2nd team in 2021. She will receive her associates degree from VVC later this year.
• U-hyda Muniz (LVHS 2021)
• Kodi Daniel (LVHS 2010) — An outside hitter, Kodi is a stay-a-home mother.
NEXT UP: the JV and Varsity volleyball teams head to Big Bear on Thursday to take on the Bears starting at 4 p.m.