Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari senior Kirksey Smith attempts a spike against Clayton defender Aishah Munoz during a non-district volleyball match Saturday at Rattler Gymnasium.
Even without two starting players, Tucumcari's volleyball team took care of visiting non-district foe Clayton by a 25-18, 25-16, 25-14 score on Saturday.
The Lady Rattlers (13-4), winners of seven in a row, dominated offensively, totaling 35 kills to Clayton's 10. Tucumcari also served 11 aces to Clayton's three.
Haisley Huffman led Tucumcari with nine kills, and Kirksey Smith added seven kills and two service aces. July Lafferty totaled six kills, and Cambree Benavidez made five kills and four aces.
Tucumcari was without senior starter Kylie'Ann Rincones for a second straight match due to an ankle injury. Harley McKinney, a key senior in the back row, was out of town on a hunting trip.
"We had to change our rotation a bit," Tucumcari coach Dana Benavidez said. "To change our rotation and still win is good. I appreciate the kids who came in and stepped it up. Nevaeh Montoya really played well in the back row."
Tucumcari spotted Clayton small leads in the first two sets but seized back control with scoring runs of 8-0 and 9-2.
In the third set, the Lady Rattlers stormed to a 16-5 lead.
Clayton fell to 5-12.
Tucumcari begins district play this week with a match at defending champ Ruidoso (4-8) on Saturday.
Other teams in the district are Dexter (9-8) and New Mexico Military Institute (8-7).
"Dexter's going to be our biggest competition, but we can't overlook anybody," coach Benavidez said.
Logan 3, Grady 1
Logan 3, Fort Sumner 0
Logan prevailed in its district opener Thursday by defeating host Grady 25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 25-12.
The Lady Longhorns trailed the second set 20-14 before rallying for seven straight points to turn it around.
Kaylee Williams made a team-high 17 kills for Logan, and Hailee Robertson totaled 19 digs.
Grady, ranked sixth in Class 1A by MaxPreps.com, fell to 10-7 overall and 2-3 in district play.
On Saturday, Logan disposed of host Fort Sumner 25-21, 26-24, 25-11 in another district matchup.
Williams and Desta Rose each made seven kills, with Haylie Bidegain adding six. Robertson made 15 digs.
The Lady Longhorns, ranked fourth in 1A by MaxPreps, improved to 12-4 overall and 2-0 in district play.
Fort Sumner, ranked 10th in 1A by MaxPreps, fell to 7-7, 2-1.
Clovis Christian 3, San Jon 0
San Jon, lacking two players, suffered a three-set loss to district foe Clovis Christian on Saturday.
"We apparently had not recovered from a late night at our (school) carnival the night before," San Jon coach Bobby Kandel said. "We were just sluggish had to change our lineup, with two players out because they were bridesmaids in a wedding."
The Lady Coyotes fell to 9-8 overall and 1-3 in district play.
Clovis Christian improved to 5-4, 1-2.
