Clovis outside hitter Paige Gardner slams the ball over the net in a pool-play match against Lovington on Friday in the Clovis Invitational volleyball tournament at Rock Staubus Gym

Portales junior Kelsey Laurenz blocks a shot from Dexter’s Lacyanne Barrows during pool play in the Clovis Invitational volleyball tournament on Friday at the CHS Freshman Academy.

Clovis High seemed to have all the momentum after winning a draining game 33-31 for a 2-0 lead over Albuquerque Academy Friday night in the Gold bracket quarterfinals of the Clovis Invitational volleyball tournament at Rock Staubus Gym.

Somebody forgot to tell the Chargers.

Academy turned the tables and rallied for an 18-25, 31-33, 25-15, 25-13, 15-11 win over the Lady Wildcats in the quarterfinals of the Gold (winners) Bracket.

Clovis (0-2) returns to action at 9 a.m. Saturday in a consolation semifinal against Lovington, which lost to Lubbock Christian 25-11, 25-22, 25-17. Academy and Lubbock Christian meet in a winners semifinal at 12:30 p.m.

It was a tough loss for the Lady Cats, who went 5-1 in games to edge Lovington for first place on a tiebreaker in Pool A, after it looked like they had a stranglehold on the match.

“It was probably one of the most exciting games I’ve seen in a long time,” CHS coach Gabe Apodaca said of the second game. “We felt coming out for that third game we had the momentum, but Albuquerque Academy just kept after us.”

Clovis took a 5-1 lead in the fifth game, but the Chargers quickly stormed back to put the match away.

Junior Paige Gardner had 16 kills and four blocks for Clovis and junior Kirsti Shough added nine kills and four blocks.

Junior outside hitter Alek Mendoza went out with a twisted ankle in the fourth game for the Lady Cats. Apodaca said he wasn’t sure if Mendoza would be available for today competition.

Meantime, Texico swept through Pool D undefeated, then pounded Carlsbad 25-16, 25-13, 25-16 to advance to a 2 p.m. championship semifinal match today against Denver City, which edged Portales 25-17, 21-25, 25-12, 16-25, 15-6.

Junior Jaylyn Cooper had 11 kills and her twin sister, Jordyn added nine kills, four blocks and three aces as the four-time defending Class 2A champion Lady Wolverines (2-0) rolled past the Cavegirls (0-1). Shaylee Anderson added seven kills and three blocks.

“We did all right, but we can play better,” Texico coach Kristen Scanlan said. “We’re moving the ball around a lot. Ja and Jo had good (matches against Carlsbad), and Shaylee Anderson played well in pool play.”

Portales, second in Pool D with a 3-3 mark, pushed Denver City hard before coming up short. The Lady Rams (1-1) take on Carlsbad in a 10:30 a.m. consolation semifinal.

“They have just two really good big players,” PHS coach Ruth Chavez said. “We played well against them. They’re a tough team, and to be able to hang with them was pretty good.”

Saturday's schedule
Gold (championship) bracket
Rock Staubus Gym
Consolation semifinals
Clovis vs. Lovington, 9 a.m.; Portales vs. Carlsbad, 10:30 a.m.
Championship semifinals
Albuquerque Academy vs. Lubbock Christian, 12:30 p.m.; Denver City vs. Texico, 2 p.m.
Final round: 7th place, 3 p.m. (lego gym); 5th place, 3:30 p.m.; 3rd place, 5:30 p.m.; championship, 7:30 p.m.
Silver bracket
North gym
Consolation semifinals
Hagerman vs. West Las Vegas, 9 a.m.; Dexter vs. El Paso Ysleta, 10:30 a.m.
Championship semifinals
Espanola Valley vs. Amarillo Palo Duro, 12:30 p.m.; St. Michael’s vs. El Paso Del Valle, 2 p.m.
Final round: 7th place, 1:30 p.m. (lego gym); 5th place, 3:30 p.m.; 3rd place, 5:30 p.m.; championship, 7:30 p.m.