LADY NOBLES MAKING HISTORY

Nogales Noble Girls Varsity Volleyball make history as they play the CIF Finals Saturday.

You can feel not only the energy but the Noble Pride as soon as you step on the court. These girls mean business as the sound of spike balls and powerhouse serves fill the air.

The Nogales Girls Volleyball team has made school history – it is the first time Volleyball has made it to the CIF Finals AND State Playoffs. Come cheer them on as they play this Saturday night, November 8, at 6 PM at South El Monte High School.

“I have high expectations for not just my team, but the program we run here and we struggled a little bit with chemistry in the beginning of our season, but as it went on we found our rhythm,” said Julianna Purcell. Known as “Coach JuJu” on the Nogales court, along with fellow coach and husband Coach P. She beams as she shares that she is also a proud Nogales High School alumna. “We wanted to create something where the girls knew they could do hard things and that if they put in the work and worked together, we could go far.” In 2021, Coach Juju led the team to its first ever League Championship and since then, she’s continued to build this program year after year. Each season, the team has advanced further, setting new milestones and raising expectations for what Nogales Volleyball can achieve. 

“I really appreciate our coaches for being there and pushing us to our fullest. It’s a lot, mentally, but I think it’s what makes us stronger as a team. They are preparing us not just for volleyball, but for outside of high school and our future,” said #11 Senior Audrey Gonzalez, who has been on the team all four years. Audrey says, “I feel so excited entering the CIF championship game and state, the pressure to do better than last year was there and now that it has been accomplished, I feel relieved but still determined to keep pushing for me and my team.” She says more girls should try the sport since it’s so competitive and a great way to get out your frustrations!

Nogales Varsity Volleyball Players Maria Ortega and Audrey Gonzalez

Senior Noble Player #1 and Team “Libero” Mari Ortega says she and the team made it their goal to get to CIF since last year they made it to the semifinals. “I am pumped, excited and I love giving all my energy to the team as the libero - the one that wears the different jersey on the court. That’s because I am a defensive specialist. If the other team is hitting, they’re going to want to avoid me because I’m most likely to get that ball up!” Ortega is pumped to head into CIF Finals and keep pushing forward after making history once again and qualifying for state. “Being on this team we’ve made history two years in a row and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it. Emotions are high with it being my last year, but I am truly living it to the fullest with my support system behind me.”

“Our first goal was league champs…. We didn’t get that, but I mean, CIF Finals and heading to state playoffs? SCORE!” laughed Coach JuJu. “I am so proud of this team and so excited to experience this with them. We all have a job to do as a player, a coach, and a team and we are going to finish that job together. Everyone deserves this and we are proud to represent Nogales along the way,” says Coach Juju. 

Rowland Raiders celebrate their Undefeated Season as Gano League Champs

Stay Focused. Just stay focused as you make school history… each Raider player along with Football Coach Citos Marinez replays this statement like a mantra as they share they can’t stop - won’t stop. Rowland Raiders are the undefeated league champs with a 10-0 season.

Senior Captain Sergio Rodrguez shared, “Coming into that last game, being 9-0, we just knew we had to stay composed and stay mentally ready for anything. To prepare how we’ve been preparing all season. Stay focused.” And now they are headed for CIF Game 1 Friday night at 7 PM and it is the first time in 17 years that there has been a playoff home game.

 “I think the reason we are undefeated - for the first time in the history of the school - would be we have the best coaches, our work ethic and our players,” said Rafael Lopez, a junior on the team. “We have so much talent and dedication for our team. All of our coaches put in hard work and really want to win as much as we want to win.”

Team Captain Senior Jose Valadez, said, “I’m feeling very ecstatic, very happy and just blessed with the opportunity to play in our first playoff game in a long time. We’ve already made history, we’re just trying to set the standard higher. It’s funny but when we were interviewed to be captains, we set the expectations pretty high for the team. And during one of the meetings we said 16 and 0 and we’re on track.”

Raider Varsity Team Captains (left to right): Jose Valadez, Damien Arrieta Sergio Rodriguez and Aidan Opatkiewicz

“For a football coach, (when you make the finals), every Sunday morning is like our version of Christmas,” said Marinez. “You usually know who you play once the game’s over in the regular season so you can get ahead, but we don’t find out until Sundays. We are excited that we are playing a home game and to be playing San Dimas, a local team who have won multiple CIF championships. We are looking forward to competing with those kinds of high schools in the area and being seen in that echelon of teams.”

Hometown pride shines as Coach Citos shares that the football team has many Rowland family connections, with parents that are RUSD staff and alumni, including himself. “I am proud to be homegrown and class of ‘99 and went to Rorimer then Ybarra, Rincon and Rowland High.”

As a history major, he loves to share the stats of the historic game that is about to take place Friday night. “Two teams have won 10 games, the ‘94 team and the ‘08 team. If we are fortunate enough to win, we’ll be the first team to win 11 games!"

"I keep telling the seniors this is a great opportunity for you to showcase how good you guys really are. For them this is their time. They will always get to come back to their high school reunions and have that sense of pride in what they've accomplished and share that with their kids and their families. So that’s what we’re working hard for right now.”

The Nobles are Montview League Champs! Pictured at this week's practice preparing for CIF Game 1 vs Bellflower HS tomorrow night at 7 PM

In a matter of moments, you feel the optimism and passion for Nogales students that Football Coach Villasenor brings. The team and entire Noble community are celebrating being the undefeated 2025 Montview League champions, clinching the title with a 29-0 victory over Ontario High School, bringing home their first league championship since 2018.

Friday night is CIF Game 1 as they play an away game against Bellflower High School at 7 PM.

(Pictured above left to right: Varsity players Isaac Moya-Hernandez and Christian Cossio with NHS History Teacher Coach Smith)

“I knew we were going to win on the first play. We were focused 100% and they already looked scared,” said Senior Linebacker Christian Cossio. “I want to send a shout out to all of our coaches and especially my defensive coach, Coach Smith. He changed me. Last year I didn’t play that much but he really saw talent in me. I really appreciate him because he made me a better player and better student.” After the game, Castillo and team members were busy that weekend sending in UC and Cal State college applications. He plans to study the field of psychology and become a counselor.

Center Von Ryan Petrovich shared, “You never know what can happen. You always prepare and be ready. I feel like we really took the game over after we scored our second touchdown and then… the lights went out. When they came back on, the crowd went nuts! We had momentum, kept dominating on defense. We just did what we had to do on offense and celebrated the win as undefeated league champs. It was good to end the drought and create a streak for the next class!”

Running Back Orlando Zamora has been on the team all four years and says he will always remember hitting 1,000 yards this season. “I’m excited to see how far we can make it in the CIF and keep fighting.”

Orlando Zamora with NHS PE Teacher Coach Encinas

“I am extremely proud of the boys. It was heartwarming that the big win was the same night as our senior night ceremony. Many wrote in their message that their favorite memory was when we took the team to Vegas for the first time to compete and win. It was the best experience for our students and families, a huge team bonding event. We can do great things - it takes a lot of effort, time and commitment but it can be done.”

Building on the success of the first trip, Coach Villasenor is planning a trip to Hawaii next year to compete against McKinley High School in Honolulu, where The Rock graduated from. “Win, lose, or draw, I'm going to show up for these kids and this school and this community and try to do the best thing for them. I'm going to do whatever it takes for these kids to get to Hawaii next and provide an opportunity. Like I said, it's bigger than football. They're going to remember all of this for their whole life. I want to give the kids everything”

If you would like to support the Nogales Football team and their journey, please contact Coach Villasenor at matthew.g.villasenor@gmail.com

November 6, 2025 Issue RUSD News Editor gward@rowlandschools.org

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