The evil Annika Sanchez
Annika Sanchez (Shantelle Lee Cuevas) is the hidden main villainess from the 2022 Lifetime film, Killer Rivalry (airdate April 22, 2022).
Annika Sanchez is the star player for Southwestern University's volleyball team, and the film established that she was in a rivalry with Gable University's player (and main protagonist) Charly McLeod. At some point, Annika was encountered by Becky Beckett, a fan of Annika's, with the women forming a friendship shortly afterwards. Annika turned heel by enlisting Becky to do "whatever it takes" to make sure that she became the #1 volleyball player, with Annika's ambition leading to Becky committing murders as part of the plan--killing Annika's volleyball partner, Hilary Horn, and later murdering Charly's partner, Kiki Blackburn.
Annika received Becky's message regarding Kiki's murder, and expressed apparent horror; however, the film's climax saw Annika and Charly tied up in a barn, with Jeff (Annika's ex-boyfriend) attempting to free them. After the girls freed themselves, Annika confronted Becky, adding that killing Hilary and Kiki wasn't part of the plan, revealing Annika as the mastermind. Annika was attacked by Becky with an axe, and it was afterwards that Becky revealed that she attacked Annika and set up Jeff to force him to comply.
Becky ended up arrested, and afterwards, the evil Annika visited Becky in prison and stated that Jeff survived Becky's attack towards him. The villainess later voiced her worry that Jeff could expose her, and later promised to not only win against Gable, but also visit Becky and tell her all about it. However, Southwestern lost the match, and police were called regarding Annika's connection to Becky, leading to Annika being arrested.
Trivia[]
- This was Shantelle Lee Cuevas' first Lifetime film and first time playing a Lifetime movie villainess.