Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
After spotting Ruidoso a first-set victory, Tucumcari’s volleyball team captured the next three Saturday to win its district opener.
The Lady Rattlers prevailed 20-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-20 against the host Warriors.
Tucumcari (14-4) won its eighth in a row.
Cambree Benavidez led the Lady Rattlers with 13 kills, and July Lafferty added eight kills. Caylee Benavidez totaled 27 assists. Kirksey Smith totaled five aces.
“Our back row had amazing plays and played great defense, led by Alexis Ramirez and Haisley Huffman,” Tucumcari coach Dana Benavidez said. “Ruidoso is a tough team, and their hitters are able to hit well. We had to change up our defense midway through the first set. It’s great having an experienced team that can adapt. They are great teammates and believe in each other.
“We came up short in the first set because we had a hard time scoring. But our hitters came on the second set, and everyone played really well. We’ve been working on some difference offense sets and we able to execute them.”
Ruidoso, last season’s district champion, fell to 5-9 and 1-1 in district play.
Tucumcari faces a key district matchup at Dexter on Tuesday, then hosts its annual Think Pink game against New Mexico Military Institute on Thursday.
Melrose 3, Logan 2
The Lady Longhorns came close but fell just short of a victory against district rival and No. 1 Melrose on Saturday.
The Lady Buffaloes prevailed 19-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 15-10 in the epic clash at Melrose.
Kaylee Williams led Logan with 10 kills. Haylie Bidegain added eight kills and Lizzy Horner seven. Hailee Robertson totaled 33 digs.
“We played great at times,” Lady Longhorns coach Glynna Strand said, adding her team was “fighting a few inconsistencies, but that happens with a good team like Melrose. Goal is to have them ironed out by November.”
Logan, ranked second in Class 1A by MaxPreps.com, fell to 13-5 overall and 3-1 in district play.
Top-rated Melrose improved to 13-1 overall and 3-0 in district play. Its only loss was to Class 2A power Texico.
Logan’s next district match against Melrose will be at home on Nov. 11.
Logan 3, Fort Sumner 0
The Lady Longhorns dispatched of visiting district foe Fort Sumner by a 25-23, 25-14, 25-15 score on Thursday.
Williams totaled 11 kills for Logan, and Bidegain added eight. Robertson made 17 digs and Bella Coronado 16 digs.
The Vixens, ranked 11th in Class 1A by MaxPreps.com, fell to 8-8 overall and 2-2 in district play.
Melrose 3, San Jon 0
No. 1-ranked Melrose had little trouble defeating visiting San Jon 25-7, 25-11, 25-15 during a district match on Oct. 17.
San Jon fell to 9-9 overall and 1-3 in district play.