Lady Tigers edge Vixens in five games

ELIDA — The District 3-1A volleyball season is at the midway point, and if Thursday night’s Elida-Fort Sumner match is any indication, it may be a wild finish.

The Lady Tigers jumped out to an early two-game lead, but the Vixens rallied to force a fifth game before Elida won 25-21, 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 15-12.

“It was an awesome (match),” Elida head coach Darrell Chenault said. “It was just back-and-forth — two good teams whamming on each other. It was a fun (match) to watch.”

Chenault says his team showed him something special in snapping a three-match road losing skid after opening the season with seven straight wins.

“It’s a huge boost to us knowing that we can play at that level,” Chenault said. “Our district is so tough that you have to be ready to play every night — it doesn’t matter who you are playing — or you’re going to get knocked off.”

Chenault also had high praise for the squad’s lone senior.

“Janice Taylor stepped up and hit the ball really well,” Chenault said. “She served really well, she just had an overall good game.”

Fort Sumner’s Bree Lucero led all players with 25 kills. Taylor led the Lady Tigers with 22 kills. Lucero also led all players with four blocks.

Racheal Chavez led the Vixens defensive effort with 17 digs.

Fort Sumner’s Sarah Stinnett collected seven serving aces, while Elida’s Shanna Anthony, Britnie Jasso and Nicole Jasso each had six aces.

Fort Sumner’s Rita Herrera had 42 assists and Elida’s Lindsey Smith compiled 24 assists.

The Elida girls (11-4, 2-2) continue their district schedule Monday at Dora, before returning home Tuesday to host Melrose.

“It was nice to get back home and play in front of our crowd,” Chenault said.

District 3-1A

Elida 3, Fort Sumner 2

Fort Sumner 21 15 25 26 12

Elida 25 25 15 24 15

Individual statistics

Kills — Fort Sumner, Bree Lucero 25, Racheal Chavez 12, Sarah Stinnett 5. Elida, Janice Taylor 22, Alexis Orcutt 5, Nicole Jasso 4. Blocks — Fort Sumner, Lucero 4. Elida, Amanda Cross-Smith 1. Digs — Fort Sumner, Chavez 17, Stinnett 14, Rita Herrera 9, Lucero 9. Elida, n/a. Aces — Fort Sumner, Stinnett 7. Elida, Shanna Anthony 6, Britnie Jasso 6, N. Jasso 6. Assists — Fort Sumner, Herrera 42. Elida, Lindsey Smith 24, B. Jasso 11. Records — Fort Sumner 12-4 (4-1), Elida 11-4 (2-2). “C” team — Elida def. Fort Sumner 25-12, 25-20. Junior high — Elida def. Fort Sumner 25-14, 25-17.