• Log In
    • ASK ABQ – Submit a Question
    • Submit a Photo
    • Submit a Story
    • Community Photos
    • About Us
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Trending
    • Mom and son to open new restaurant in former Point Grill location
    • Photos: Northern Meadows decorates for Halloween
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Neighborhood Journal Neighborhood Journal
    Login
    • Rio Rancho North
      1. Enchanted Hills
      2. Loma Colorado
      3. Mariposa
      4. Northern Meadows
      5. Rivers Edge
      6. View All

      PHOTOS: Trick-or-treat in Loma Colorado

      November 1, 2023

      A colorful Memorial Day morning in Loma Colorado

      May 29, 2023

      More Loma Colorado crosswalks to be removed this month

      March 2, 2023

      Spring sports kick off at ERMS

      February 9, 2023

      Mom and son to open new restaurant in former Point Grill location

      November 15, 2023

      Mariposa to host community yard sale

      October 12, 2023

      Mariposa Community Center suggests non-traditional Halloween activities

      October 12, 2023

      RRFR Station 6 officially open for business in Mariposa

      October 12, 2023

      Photos: Northern Meadows decorates for Halloween

      November 1, 2023

      Northern Meadows residents meet privately to discuss POA

      August 8, 2023

      Residents organize meetings to press Northern Meadows POA

      July 19, 2023

      New pizza food truck sets up in North Hills

      July 17, 2023

      Mom and son to open new restaurant in former Point Grill location

      November 15, 2023

      Photos: Northern Meadows decorates for Halloween

      November 1, 2023

      PHOTOS: Trick-or-treat in Loma Colorado

      November 1, 2023

      Mariposa to host community yard sale

      October 12, 2023
    • ABQ NW

      McKinney-Vento Program in urgent need of food donations for APS students

      October 10, 2023

      Experienced Teacher’s Vision for APS Board District 2: Safety, Accountability, and Academic Excellence

      October 9, 2023

      Potential Threat at Alvarado Elementary School Resolved Safely by APS Police

      October 8, 2023

      Trial Begins for Richard Alan Ross in 2018 Albuquerque Double Murder Case

      October 7, 2023

      Community Celebrates Chaparral Elementary for Reducing Chronic Absenteeism

      September 30, 2023
    • ABQ NE

      APD Homicide Detectives Probing Fatal Shooting at Eubank Strip Mall

      October 10, 2023

      McKinney-Vento Program in urgent need of food donations for APS students

      October 10, 2023

      Candidate for APS school board in District 4 stresses the importance of public education

      October 10, 2023

      Adam Cazares Convicted of First-Degree Murder in 2019 Robbery and Shooting Case

      October 8, 2023

      Hate Graffiti Found at La Cueva High School Prompts Investigation and Cleanup

      October 2, 2023
    • ABQ SE

      McKinney-Vento Program in urgent need of food donations for APS students

      October 10, 2023

      Candidate for APS school board in District 4 stresses the importance of public education

      October 10, 2023

      Man Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter After Shooting Intruder in Southeast Albuquerque

      October 7, 2023

      Albuquerque’s Tiny Home Village Boosts Occupancy, Offering Hope to Residents

      October 2, 2023

      Albuquerque’s Role in World’s Space-Observation Missions Expanding with German Investment

      September 30, 2023
    • ABQ SW

      McKinney-Vento Program in urgent need of food donations for APS students

      October 10, 2023

      Juvenile Suspects Arrested for Shooting Homeless Individuals with BB Guns in Downtown Albuquerque.

      October 9, 2023

      Multiple Guns Found at West Mesa High School Raise Concerns About Campus Safety

      October 7, 2023

      Candidate for APS School Board District 1 Focuses on Equity and Inclusion

      October 7, 2023

      Albuquerque Boxer José Luis Sánchez Sees Golden Boy Opportunity in Upcoming Fight

      October 7, 2023
    • Submit a Photo
    Neighborhood Journal Neighborhood Journal
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Home » Unbeaten Volcano Vista girls chasing another state championship
    Articles

    Unbeaten Volcano Vista girls chasing another state championship

    Kevin HendricksBy Kevin HendricksMarch 1, 2022Updated:June 30, 2022No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The last time the Volcano Vista girls basketball team lost a game, the pandemic was in its infancy.

    Since dropping the 2020 state championship game to Hobbs in the Pit on March 14, Volcano Vista has reeled off 38 straight wins.

    The Hawks went 13-0 in a COVID-shortened 2021 season, capped by a miraculous half-court buzzer-beating shot by Natalia Chavez that won the blue trophy in overtime and made national news. The 64-23 win over Rio Rancho in the District 1-5A title game on March 26 moved the Hawks to 25-0 this year and secured the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A state tournament.

    “Anybody that’s been coming to watch our games just knows that our signatures are to run and gun and score transition points,” Volcano Vista head coach Lisa Villareal said. “We like to get a lot of offense off of our defense. We have a veteran team that is defending state champs, and we just have tradition here at Volcano Vista.”

    The Hawks have a veteran squad led by seniors Chavez, Jaelyn Bates and Kennedy Brown.

    Volcano Vista guard Jaelyn Bates bring the ball up the court during the Hawks’ win over Cleveland on Feb. 11.
    Volcano Vista’s Kennedy Brown is one of several senior leaders for the unbeaten Hawks.

    “These girls are a special bunch,” Villareal said. “They’re just scoring machines. They’re battle-tested, and that’s what we hope to ride the rest of the year.”

    Those battles have helped prepare the Hawks for being a target for every team they played this year.

    “We have to talk about being undefeated, being the No. 1 seed, being defending state champs,” Villareal said. “There’s pressure, so we talk about it. Of course the pressure is going to be there, and it’s going to continue to be there, but the girls play well under pressure.”

    Villareal is facing some pressure too as she vies for her fifth state championship at Volcano Vista and continues to build what has become a hoops dynasty on the West Side. Another state crown would give Villareal more titles than any female girls prep basketball coach in the history of New Mexico.

    “It would mean everything,” Villareal said. “We as coaches hope to make a run for it every season, if possible. We’ve just been blessed here at Volcano Vista. It’s tradition now, what is expected of them.”

    Villareal and the Hawks have an even bigger reason to give it all they have for a state title this year: the late Mike Brown. Brown, a legendary coach in New Mexico, passed away on June 30 of last year after a battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA).

    Brown, affectionately referred to as “Papa” around Volcano Vista, was a beloved figure around the school. His son Greg coaches the boys team and his granddaughter Kennedy is a star on the girls team.

    “We’re playing for Papa this year,” Villareal said. “We dedicated our season to coach Mike Brown, so it fits in with our mission. Let’s see if we can get it done.”

    Top-seeded Volcano Vista begins its pursuit of another state championship Friday night at home against No. 16 Santa Fe at 7.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Kevin Hendricks
    • Twitter

    Kevin, also known as Steak Sauce, is a reporter for the Neighborhood Journal with a focus on the Ventana Ranch area. He has over 14 years of journalism experience, including reporting, editing and page design.

    Related Posts

    Mom and son to open new restaurant in former Point Grill location

    November 15, 2023

    Photos: Northern Meadows decorates for Halloween

    November 1, 2023

    PHOTOS: Trick-or-treat in Loma Colorado

    November 1, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    About Us
    About Us

    The Neighborhood Journal aims to help residents be well informed about their neighborhood and feel more connected to their neighbors and community.

    Email Us: info@neighborhoodjournal.com
    Contact: +1-505-823-7200

    7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque

    PRIVACY POLICY

    Editor's Picks

    Mom and son to open new restaurant in former Point Grill location

    November 15, 2023

    Photos: Northern Meadows decorates for Halloween

    November 1, 2023

    PHOTOS: Trick-or-treat in Loma Colorado

    November 1, 2023
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Submit a Photo
    • Submit a Story
    © 2025 Neighborhood Journal. Website by Half Pixel.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Continue with Facebook
    Continue with Google
    Lost password?