Tucumcari squad ends week with home loss

The Tucumcari volleyball squad ended its opening week with a 14-25, 16-25, 19-25 loss at its home debut Saturday afternoon against Clayton, but it came with an unexpected bonus - a good-sized audience to watch the match.

Sports teams learned Thursday evening the state's Public Education Department and New Mexico Activities Association would allow spectators at most games if their counties' COVID-19 risk levels were low enough. Schools throughout the state for weeks had planned empty gymnasiums and streaming of matches on the internet instead.

Quay County was in the green zone, which allowed 25% capacity in the Snake Pit.

Athletic director Wayne Ferguson said 120 tickets were sold for Saturday's match, and it appeared fans from Clayton bought at least one-fourth of them.

Tucumcari coach Dana Benavidez was pleased with the atmosphere, despite the loss.

"We're really happy to be playing, and even happier to have fans in here to watch us," she said. "Even though games aren't falling the way we want them to right now, we're happy to be here. And that's the truth. We want every keep everyone healthy and well so we can continue on with our season."

Felicity Lopez led the Lady Rattlers with six kills, two aces and one block. She was effective enough with her hitting that the Yellowjackets assigned an extra defensive player on her.

"We started cheating our middle blocker over a little bit more," first-year Clayton coach Jeff Funk said. "That was an in-game adjustment we made."

"Felicity's a great hitter," Benavidez said. "She has been since she was a freshman. We just have to make sure we get the passes to her so she can do her job."

Amber Owen added six kills and one ace for Tucumcari.

Clayton showed more crispness with its passing and defense in the first two games, leading throughout. Tucumcari took a 3-0 lead in the third game, and the Yellowjackets clawed back to take the lead for good midway through.

"I thought we had moments where we played really well, and we have to shift and adjust to the other team's hitters," Benavidez said. "That's something we have to work on this week. Our team is very young, but I think we'll move forward."

Clayton (2-0) was led by Mandy Crisp's eight kills, two blocks and one ace.

Funk was pleased with his team, though inexperience is a factor with his program, as well.

"We're still learning a lot. They're getting to know me, and I'm getting to know them. And a lot of the girls are new to the program. But I love our effort and how we play as a team," he said.

"The thing I like about us is we're volleyball-smart," Funk added. "We don't always have to hit hard. We understand that we can dink and push and do those things to pick up points. I like the way they're maturing in the game."

Saturday's game still included COVID-19 safety protocols, including mandatory masks, social distancing, a rotation of wiped game balls and players' chairs spaced far apart on the sidelines.

Earlier last week, Tucumcari began its season with an unenviable road match against perennial Class 2A state champion Texico. The Lady Rattlers suffered a 13-25, 11-25, 9-25 loss there. The Wolverines ended the week 3-1, with their only loss to Portales.

Tucumcari's scheduled road game last week against Elida was canceled.