Watsonville High’s boys volleyball team won its first league title since 2016 and the Wildcatz were rewarded during all-league voting, when two of their top players received special honors.

Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Joshua Zuniga was named MVP of the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Cypress Division, and junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Logan Franc was chosen Defensive Player of the Year.

Pajaro Valley senior outside hitter Jayden Avestruz was named Offensive Player of the Year.

Zuniga, a third-year varsity player, led the Wildcatz (15-9, 14-0) with 150 kills, 43 aces, and eight blocks. He also recorded 112 digs.

“He was our strongest all-around player this year and some of last year, as well,” said Wildcatz coach Crystal Cornejo-Perez. “He was a great leader on and off the court. He helped a lot with our younger players.”

Cornejo-Perez said Zuniga, a year-round player, has a high skill set and was “very coachable.”

She noted that he was savvy at the net and knew when to preserve his arm.

“He was smart on the attack,” she said. “He knew when to swing and not swing, and where to place the ball. He also scored on tips and on rolls, anything to avoid the block. He surprised me a lot. He had a good connection with our sophomore setter (Ricardo Ramirez) and would find the perfect set and get that perfect kill.”

He also shined on defense and made great passes to his setter, his coach said.

For obvious reasons — he was good and the Wildcatz were finding success — Zuniga was always smiling on the court. “He has a positive attitude, and that’s great for our younger kids, all around,” his coach said.

Franc, also a third-year varsity talent, had 131 kills, 40 aces, and 136 digs for the Wildcatz.

Cornejo-Perez called Franc “a great passer and good leader.” He was also a spark plug for the Grizzlies with his infectious enthusiasm.

“He really gets into matches,” his coach said. “He plays with so much energy and pumped up the team. I think they fed off that.”

Franc doesn’t play club volleyball, but he put in extra work. Often, he’d show up to the girls’ practice in the fall to work on his passing.

“He’s just a great athlete,” said Cornejo-Perez, noting that she is elated to have Franc for one more season.

The Wildcatz saw their season end in a Central Coast Section play-in match May 8.

The Grizzlies (11-11.10-4) tied Kirby (10-8, 10-4) for second place.

Zuniga and Franc were joined on the Cypress first team by two teammates, senior opposite Andres Cardenas and senior setter Ricardo Ramirez.

Kirby had three players named to the first team: junior outside hitter Aden Huang, senior opposite Will Gust, and junior setter Henry Annon.

Avestruz and Grizzlies senior middle blocker Anthony Aguirre rounded out the first team.

Monterey senior setter/opposite Andres Espinoza was named Most Valuable Player of the Gabilan Division. Carmel junior middle blocker Nate Campbell was voted Offensive Player of the Year, and Padres junior setter/opposite Zack Speakman was chosen Defensive Player of the Year.

Rancho San Juan senior setter Brandon Akoni Quiambao-Gonzalez was named MVP of the Mission Division, the PCAL’s middle tier. Rancho San Juan senior outside hitter Stephen DeAnda was named Offensive Player of the Year, and Chieftains senior libero/outside hitter Aaron Pacheco was chosen Defensive Player of the Year.