Serving the High Plains

Lady Rattler closes career with all-star win

Tucumcari's Alexus Lafferty closed her high-school volleyball career Saturday by helping the Small School Green Team All-Stars defeat the Red Team All-Stars in an annual exhibition of the state's top seniors.

Lafferty, a libero, "served a few aces and did really good," said her THS coach, Dana Benavidez. The Green team downed the Red team in five sets.

Benavidez and several of Lafferty's Lady Rattler teammates attended the game.

The Red vs. Green All-Star Volleyball Event, organized by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association, was played at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque.

Lafferty's all-star teammates included players from Class 1A champion Gateway Christian, Class 2A champion Laguna Acoma, Texico, Animas, Roy-Mosquero, Sandia Prep, Santa Fe Waldorf and Tucumcari district foe Ruidoso.

Legacy Academy's Brooklynn Sandoval and Alamo Navajo's Daniel Gordon coached the Green team.

Amanda Forrister of Hot Springs and Sandia Prep's Audra Gentry coached the Red team, which included stars from Robertson, Hot Springs, Melrose, Legacy Academy, Escalante, Capitan, Hagerman, Santa Rosa, Animas and Class 3A champion St. Michaels.

Lafferty was a four-year starter for the Lady Rattlers and a two-time all-district player, including this season.

Tucumcari qualified for the state tournament in three of Lafferty's four seasons, including a 16-9 campaign this year.