Melrose defeats rival Logan

The Melrose volleyball squad took a one-game lead in the district standings by defeating arch-rival and defending Class 1A champion Logan 25-18, 25-16, 25-15 on Saturday at Melrose.

Logan dropped to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in the District 6 race. Melrose improved to 5-0, all district games.

“We played good in spurts,” Logan coach Robert Young said, “but made way too many unforced errors at crucial times during the match.”

Melrose travels to Logan for a key matchup on March 27 before postseason play begins the following week.

Logan downed previously unbeaten Melrose in the Class 1A title game last season to notch the Lady Longhorns’ third straight state championship.

Logan 3, Clovis Christian 0

The host Lady Longhorns prevailed 25-17, 25-19, 25-23 on Thursday over Clovis Christian.

Young said it was “by far our best match of the season.”

“We cut down on our unforced errors, and serving and blocking were strong the entire match,” he said.

Clovis Christian ended the week with a 5-2 record overall and 3-2 in the district.

Melrose 3, San Jon 0

Heavily favored Melrose cruised to a 25-5, 25-11, 25-11 district victory Thursday over visiting San Jon.

But San Jon coach Jaree Elliott like what she saw from her young and inexperienced squad.

“The best we’ve played yet,” she said, adding her team “improved from the Logan game, which is all I can ask.”

“Melrose is a very solid team and works very well together,” she added. “Of course, they hit so well, so for my girls to defend against them and get some great plays, as well, was awesome to see.”

Karlee Elliott led the Coyotes with five kills. Bailey Montoya added three kills, and Sarah Archuleta added three kills, two aces and five assists.

San Jon fell to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in district play.

Grady 3, San Jon 0

Host San Jon dropped a three-set match to Grady on Saturday. No score was available.

“We had some areas where we didn’t look as strong as we did the game before against Melrose,” Elliott said, “but we had some other areas we looked stronger.”