ARTESIA — After being beaten soundly in games 2 and 3, the Clovis High volleyball team rallied for a 26-24, 13-25, 15-25, 25-22, 15-5 victory over Class 4A No. 7-ranked Artesia Tuesday night.

The Lady Wildcats (7-5) were in danger of losing when the Lady Bulldogs opened a 21-18 lead in the fourth game, but Clovis scored seven of the final eight points to force it the distance. They then came out and dominated Artesia (12-2) in the deciding set.

“From that point (down 21-18), we played real well,” Lady Cats coach Darrel Ray said. “We made all the defensive stops we needed, plus we took control of the net.”

Ray said the Lady Cats were fortunate to win the first game, helped by numerous Artesia service errors.

“They kind of kept us around in game 1,” Ray said. “We really didn’t have a very good attack at all for 3 1/2 games.

“We were fortunate to get game 1. They (Lady Bulldogs) had too many service errors.”

Ray said Artesia played efficiently in the next two games, pulling away down the stretch in both. But once Clovis pulled even, the momentum swing completely around.

Senior Antiesha Brown had 16 kills, five blocks and three digs for the Lady Cats, but Ray said she was hampered by a stiff back early that loosened up as the match went.

Libero Felicia Aguilar had 15 digs for Clovis. Ray said she also started slowly but got better as the match progressed.

The match was part of the New Mexico Activities Association’s “Dig Pink” promotion for breast cancer awareness. Ray said his players raised $941 dollars which was presented to Artesia prior to the match.

The Lady Cats return to action on Saturday at Roswell High.