Tucumcari falls to Tularosa

Visiting Tucumcari pushed state-ranked Tularosa but fell 11-25, 27-29, 25-21, 24-26 during a key district volleyball match Saturday night.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A in MaxPreps.com, improved to 16-2 overall and 3-0 in district play. The Lady Rattlers host a rematch Saturday in their regular-season finale.

Jasmine Jones led the Lady Rattlers (4-14, 1-1) with eight kills. Felicity Lopez made seven kills, and Kalani French had five. Reese Goldston also made 23 serves with four aces.

“Brianna Arias and Lauren Chavez dug amazingly well in the back row,” Tucumcari coach Dena Benavidez added.

Benavidez said she couldn't have been happier with her team's play after a slow start in the first game.

“We played really well,” she said. “For a loss, I couldn't be more proud. We played up to our full potential, and (Tularosa) did, too.”

Tucumcari remains alive for a postseason berth. If the Lady Rattlers defeat Dexter (2-17, 0-3) on the road this week and knock off Tularosa at home in a match that starts about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Tularosa and Tucumcari will play a third time Monday or Tuesday at a neutral location to decide the district title. The winner will advance to the state tournament.

Despite the Lady Rattlers' win-loss record this season, they're ranked 13th in the Class 3A coaches' poll because voters recognize their late-season improvement and tough schedule.

“We're much better than our record shows,” Benavidez said.