Floyd junior Cassie Breshears attacks during the Lady Broncos pool play match against Magdalena.

Floyd senior Madeline Love powers the ball during pool play in the state volleyball tournament in Albuquerque.

Floyd sophomore middle Tori Tucker tips the ball during pool play at the state volleyball tournament in Albuquerque.

The Floyd Lady Broncos, making their first appearance at a state volleyball tournament in 18 years, won their Class 1A pool Wednesday, going 5-1.

“We did so well in pool play today,” first-year Floyd coach Shelley McConnel said. “They played well, they played so good today. They moved and they hustled.”

As the pool winner, the Floyd girls get a top seed in the quarterfinals. Floyd will face fourth-seeded Roy Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at the University of New Mexico's Johnson Center with a final four ticket on the line.

“They were focused and I knew they were determined when they stepped into the gym this morning. I could tell by the looks on their faces that they were ready,” McConnel said.

The Fort Sumner Vixens won their 1A group as well, going 6-0 in their pool Wednesday. The Vixens will face fourth-seeded Tatum in the 1A quarterfinals Thursday at Johnson Center.

Portales rocks pool play

If Wednesday’s pool play was any indication, Portales’ roster of youngsters weren’t intimidated a bit by the bright lights at the New Mexico Class 3A state volleyball tournament in Albuquerque.

The fifth-seeded and defending champion Lady Rams went 5-1 in their group at the Santa Ana Star Center, sweeping eigth-seeded Wingate and 11th-seeded Lovington. Portales split with second-seeded Pojoaque.

“In the second game (against Pojoaque) we came out and got the ball to Dallas and our hitters just turned it on,” Chavez said.

Chavez also called out junior hitter Jenna Wagner for playing great against Pojoaque.

“It’s good for my kids to get out there and play. The more we play, and not sit around the better off we’re going to be,” Chavez said. “Physically they’re in good shape, but their mental part of the game has just been wonderful.”

The Portales girls set themselves up for a Thursday morning first-round match against 12th-seeded Cuba, the lowest-seeded team in the tournament. The winner of that game will face Hatch Valley in the state quarterfinals Thursday night at 5 P.M.

Ruidoso, St. Michael's, Hatch Valley and Pojoaque all received byes straight to the quarterfinal round.

“We played really, really good in this pool,” Chavez said. “Who knows what could happen from here on, (but) we’re going to get out there in the morning and see what we can do against Cuba.”