Iniguez rises to the occasion, earns CCC MVP honors

The El Capitan High volleyball coaches asked a lot of Ellie Iniguez this year. The junior outside hitter was asked to expand her role this year and she delivered. Iniguez barely left the floor for the Gauchos as one of their top all-around players and helped lead El Capitan to its sixth consecutive Central California Conference championship.

 

The CCC coaches selected Iniguez as the Most Valuable Player. “Ellie meant so much to this team,” said Gauchos coach Chela Moreno. “Last season, her role was primarily defensive, but this year we challenged her to take on a much bigger responsibility, and she ran with it. She embraced every challenge we threw her way and never stopped working to improve. Ellis isn't someone who seeks the spotlight; she simply shows up, works hard, and competes. What I admire most is that even after everything she accomplished, she still believes she has more to give, more to improve on. We wouldn't have accomplished what we did this season without her.”

 

Ingiguez finished near the top of the team in serving, kills and digs. With a talented team, Moreno says choosing an MVP wasn’t easy. Junior Anushka Elwin was also named the CCC Setter of the Year.

 

“It was definitely a tough decision because I truly have an amazing group of athletes who contributed so much to our success,” Moreno said. “However, what Ellie accomplished this season was outstanding. She embraced becoming an all-around player and excelled both offensively and defensively. She made a tremendous impact on both sides of the ball, becoming an offensive weapon while continuing to be a force defensively.”

 

Elwin served as another coach on the floor for the Gauchos. When Moreno didn’t see something she liked, she would get her message to her team through Elwin. 

 

“I truly believe she is the best setter in our league and one of the best in our area,” Moreno said. “Her court awareness, volleyball IQ, and ability to run an offense are exceptional, especially for a junior. She understands the game at such a high level and has an incredible ability to read defenses, make smart decisions, and put her hitters in positions to succeed. She's also an offensive threat herself, knowing exactly when to attack with a setter dump. She has that true setter mentality, confident, composed, competitive, and always thinking one step ahead.”

 

Golden Valley finished tied for second with Merced and had two players earn top awards. Adamaris Leon was named Best Offensive Player and Gizzel Jordan was selected as the Best Defensive Player.

 

“Adamaris was the heart of our offense and a driving force behind our team's success this season,” said Golden Valley coach Jacqueline Wooding, who was named the CCC Coach of the Year. “She was the player we could count on when we needed a big point, a momentum-changing play, or someone to step up under pressure. Her explosive power and ability to dominate at the net made her one of the most feared hitters in the league, but what truly set her apart was her competitive spirit, consistency, and determination to win. She elevated the level of play around her and gave her teammates confidence every time she stepped onto the court.”

 

Leon finished with a team-high in kills with 238. Jordan led the Cougars with 299 digs. “Gizzel is the backbone of our defense and an invaluable part of our team's success this season,” Wooding said. “She is the player who refuses to let a ball hit the floor, consistently making incredible digs and turning what seemed like impossible plays into opportunities for our offense. Her quick reactions, exceptional court awareness, and relentless determination gave our team the confidence to compete against even the toughest opponents. Gizzel brought an unmatched level of energy, grit, and toughness to the court, often making the plays that shifted momentum in our favor. What made her truly special was not just her defensive ability, but her consistency, leadership, and willingness to put everything on the line for her teammates.”

 

The all-CCC first-team selections were Annabella Solis (El Capitan), Maura Tangaan (Golden Valley), Reese Franklin (Buhach Colony), Kasalyn Moua (Merced), Gabriella Randol (Merced), and Kaia Nuno (Los Banos). 

 

The second-team was Jasmine Arebalo Bernardo (El Capitan), Jessa Zimmerman (Golden Valley), Maddie Leard (Buhach Colony), Nadalyn Moua (Merced), Kendall Castillo (Los Banos) and Caylor Gibson (Atwater). Receiving honorable mention were Cienna James-Gibson (El Capitan), Kate Hnason (Golden Valley), Haleigh Anderson (Buhach Colony), Kinly Czirban (Merced), Addison Melden (Los Banos), Kianna Huamani (Atwater). 

 

The sportsmanship award winners were Joy Vang (Atwater), Mia Ruiz (Buhach Colony), Ellery Hunter (El Capitan), Shelby Avery (Golden Valley), Gianna Trigo (Los Banos) and Sofia Clay (Merced). 

 

WAC

Livingston High’s Mia Lopez was named to the all-Western Athletic Conference first team. Wolves teammate Aimee Aguilar Briones earned second-team honors. Kaily Valle and Alexia Aguilar Briones received honorable mention.