Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
With its road victory Thursday over district foe Dexter, the Tucumcari High School volleyball program reached a milestone.
The Lady Rattlers’ 25-18, 25-13, 25-17 win was their 14th of the season, which was the most in at least 15 years and a high-water mark for coach Dana Benavidez, now in her seventh year in the program.
Tucumcari volleyball’s previous best season was in 2016, when the Lady Rattlers went 13-8. That was Benavidez’s first season.
Informed about the milestone on Friday morning, Benavidez said “that’s pretty amazing.”
“I have been so proud of my team’s progression through the years,” she said. “The girls I have on this team have continued to show up and work hard for many years. Every single camp, every single preseason workout, every practice, they are there giving their all. All of the players are completely committed to Lady Rattler volleyball.”
Benavidez also cited Alexus Lafferty, a four-year starter as a libero, during the team’s recent rise.
“He freshman year was the first year Lady Rattler volleyball made it to state in 30 years,” she said. “Her junior year was the first year we won the district championship in 42 years. ... Her senior year, the record the most wins in a season in the last 15 years. She has been a huge factor in the success of our program over the last few years.
“But along with her, all the other girls on this year’s team, they are all great kids with a great mind-set. They are great teammates to each other, and they have shown so much school spirit and love representing Tucumcari. I haven’t seen another group so pumped up to play every single game. We’ve also had great community support and an awesome student section. And that all started with the team being so spirited and proud to be Rattlers. I am so proud to be their coach.”
At Dexter, Lafferty totaled 16 digs. July Lafferty and Kirksey Smith made a total of nine blocks for Tucumcari. Caylee Benavidez led the Lady Rattlers with 12 kills, and younger sister Cambree Benavidez added 11 kills. Haisley Huffman had eight kills.
“We came focused and ready to play,” coach Benavidez said. “We had great hustle plays and fought hard.”
Tucumcari improved to 14-7 overall and 2-2 in District 4. According to MaxPreps.com, the Lady Rattlers are ranked eighth in Class 3A. In the latest coaches poll, they were in a tie for ninth.
Dexter fell to 2-16, 0-4.
Logan 3, Grady 0
Logan continued to press on with their district schedule with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-9 victory Thursday at Grady.
The Lady Longhorns, winners of three in a row, improved to 14-6 overall and 8-1 in District 6. They trailed only top-ranked Melrose (19-0, 8-0) in the district standings.
After a road game Thursday at San Jon, Logan faces Melrose again in the regular-season finale at the Lady Buffaloes’ gym on Saturday. Two wins by the Lady Longhorns this week could force a tie in the district-title standings.
Grady 3, San Jon 0
The Lady Bronchos earned a 25-7, 25-21, 25-17 district victory Saturday over host San Jon.
The Lady Coyotes ended the week with a 3-17 record and 1-8 in district play.
Grady ended the week at 12-10, 4-6.