Logan volleyball overcomes Grady

LOGAN - Grady's volleyball team had grabbed the momentum by winning Game Three, held a six-point lead in a Game Four of the match and seemingly had host and longtime arch-rival Logan on the ropes during both teams' season openers.

That is, until Kambry Burns began serving the ball for the Lady Longhorns.

Burns fueled a 9-0 scoring run during that game with four aces and made numerous other key plays during the match in Logan's 24-19, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21 victory on March 2.

Burns also notched a team-high nine kills and four blocks during the match.

Her play didn't really surprise coach Robert Young.

"She's tall, and she's really fast. She's everywhere, and she's really steady," he said. "She's definitely our foundation right now."

Meanwhile, Grady coach Missi Glover lamented a lost opportunity to pick up a key district victory against the defending Class 1A state champion. The Lady Bronchos committed 13 serving errors.

"We made a lot of unforced errors," she said. "Service killed us, and we didn't cover well."

Teryn Foote pounded home a team-high 13 kills and two blocks for the Lady Bronchos. Kristin Grau added five kills.

Reece Goldston, who played on last season's state-qualifying Tucumcari team, had seven kills and two aces for the Lady Longhorns. Rilee Nials added six kills.

The Lady Longhorns never trailed by more than two points during the first two games and mostly held the lead throughout.

But Logan faltered late in the third game, which Young blamed on tentative play.

"In that third set, we were playing not to lose. Then we lost," he said.

In the fourth game, Logan also trailed 18-12. The Lady Longhorns scored nine unanswered points - many of them with Burns serving - to take back the lead and control of the game.

Young said much of his squad lacks varsity experience, and it sometimes showed against Grady.

"There were times when we got out of sync and indecisive. We've got a lot of new personnel. They're starting to get our system and play like we want them to," he said.

A key to Logan's victory was its blocking game, which tallied a few points and blunted the Lady Bronchos' front-line attack for lengthy stretches.

"As our blocking went is how we went," Young said. "In the game we lost, we didn't block well. But in the others we won, we blocked well. We have some big girls, and we're long and tall. When we block, that helps us. I knew going into the season that was going to be our strength."

The resumption of high-school volleyball in New Mexico last week wasn't a return to a routine. Anyone who entered Logan's gymnasium was screened for his or her body temperature. Masks were required for everyone. Instead of a line of chairs for each team's bench, chairs were spaced out in several rows 6 feet apart. Wiped game balls constantly rotated in and out of the match.

Spectators also were not allowed in the gym due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, leading to several moments of eerie quiet. (Matches will be streamed live on the internet indefinitely.) However, teammates and junior varsity players did enough cheering to make the noise level feel almost normal.

"Good evening, and welcome to the return of New Mexico sports," the public address announcer said shortly before the opening serve.

Fort Sumner 3, Logan 0

Fort Sumner, regarded as a contender for the district title, cruised to a 25-17, 25-16, 25-11 victory Thursday at Logan after taking advantage of 28 unforced errors by the Lady Longhorns.

"They were pretty strong at the net with their hitting and blocking," Young said, "but we gave them too many easy points. We were inconsistent in many areas and lacked intensity and focus at crucial moments in the match."

Young added he was impressed with the play of three freshmen on his varsity squad.

Burns led Logan with six kills and four blocks.

Logan 3, San Jon 0

San Jon played its best match of the young season Friday during a 25-23, 25-16, 25-23 loss to defending Class 1A champion Logan.

San Jon coach Jaree Elliott said her Coyotes (0-3) logged its highest total of kills, assists and block all season and lowered its serving errors.

"We moved much better, communicated much better and seemed to have a lot more confidence on the court," Elliott said. "If we can keep building from here, I expect good things to come."

"San Jon is much improved and played good defense," Young observed.

Goldston led the Lady Longhorns with eight kills, while Nials had seven. Burns totaled six kills and five blocks.

Logan ended the week at 2-1.

Fort Sumner 3, San Jon 0

The Vixens opened their season March 3 at home with a solid 25-6, 25-18, 25-23 victory over San Jon.

"We looked young and nervous that first set," Elliott said. "However, with strong leadership from our two seniors and confidence building through the game, by the third set we were much strong and played them very closely, even having the lead at one point."

The Coyotes primarily played two seniors, three freshmen and one eighth-grader during the match.

Nataya Archuleta led San Jon with two kills and four assists. Sarah Archuleta totaled two kills and three assists, Chantzee Elliott two kills and one assist and Karlee Elliott two kills.

Clovis Christian 3, San Jon 0

Clovis Christian notched its first district win with a 25-21, 25-8, 25-14 decision Thursday at San Jon.

Elliott said her team accomplished good kills and ball movement during the first game but missed numerous serves. She praised the leadership of seniors Nataya Archuleta and Bailey Montoya during the match, as well as big plays from eighth-graders Chantzee and Karlee Elliott.

Montoya and Chantzee Elliott led the Coyotes with four kills each. Nataya Archuleta had three kills and seven assists, and Sarah Archuleta had three kills and six assists.