Three Lady Rattlers named all-district

Three Tucumcari High School volleyball players earned first-team honors from District 4’s all-district teams announced last week.

The top Lady Rattlers were junior outside hitter Haisley Huffman, sophomore setter Caylee Benavidez and senior libero Alexus Lafferty.

Benavidez led the Lady Rattlers in assists (489) and kills (241), plus was second in digs (216) and third in blocks (23).

It was the second time she earned all-district honors.

Lafferty, a four-year starter, led the team in digs (384), serve receptions (707) and serving aces (92). She also earned all-district honors for the second time.

Huffman made 147 kills, led the team in hit percentage with 0.295, was second in kill percentage with 40.2% and was second in serving percentage at 91.1%.

Honorable mentions were eighth-grade outside hitter Cambree Benavidez and sophomore middle blocker July Lafferty.

Benavidez was second on the team in kills (173), and Lafferty finished first on the squad in blocks (51).

The Lady Rattlers sported a 16-9 overall record (their best mark in at least 15 years), finished second in their district only to Ruidoso and qualified for the Class 3A state tournament for the third time in four years.