The Mustangs, whipped soundly by No. 1 seed San Benito in games one and three, never gave up. They kept their poise and demonstrated "lots of character," while claiming close victories over the Haybalers in games two and four to force a fifth game in the best-of-five match.

Homestead led 4-1 and competed well in the nip-and-tuck fifth game, before bowing 15-13 at Santa Clara High on Nov. 17. With the loss, the Mustangs concluded their excellent season with a 25-13 record.

Homestead coach John Milkovich was especially impressed with the way his Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division champions responded in the fourth game, after losing 25-9 in the third.

"Only one team in a hundred will win that fourth game like we did," Milkovich noted. "Any team can win game two after being rolled in the first game, but by coming back twice, the girls showed lots of character."

San Benito, which went on to lose the title match in five games to Carlmont of Belmont, had little trouble with the Mustangs in the first and third games, winning 25-14 and 25-9. But the Mustangs responded tenaciously each time, countering with 25-22 and 25-21 wins.

Freshman middle blocker Katherine Fischer "played an outstanding match," Milkovich praised, "but everybody shined at some point.

"There was good serving from Abi Keck, great defense and timely hitting from Maddy Baldwin, serving and hitting by Julie Nakamoto, Christina Fukumoto's setting and some nice returns from Lauren Hoopes."

Milkovich credited assistant coach Lillian Hom for much of Homestead's success this season. "She's a very bright lady, very knowledgeable," he said. "She was a big help this year."

If the Mustangs had reached the championship match, their season would have resumed with the CIF-Northern California tournament. Milkovich would have liked his team's chances against Carlmont in the CCS title game, because the Mustangs had beaten the Scots twice in tournaments this season.

Homestead, instead, must look forward to 2006, when it returns to the De Anza Division. Although a fine group of seniors--Baldwin, Fukumoto, Nakamoto, Keck, Jennifer Irish, Rachel Nishimoto and Erica Harris--will have graduated, the future is bright with juniors Kelly Verstegen and Lauren Gniadek, sophomores Hoopes, Allie Fickett and Justine Wales, and freshmen Fischer and Melissa Cheng eligible to return.

The Mustangs also will get new players from the junior varsity team, which went unbeaten in El Camino play this season.