Texico sweeps in district finals

Sports writer

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TEXICO — There never was really a lot of doubt about Saturday’s District 3-5A volleyball tournament final between Texico and Santa Rosa, although the visiting Lady Lions made things interesting from time to time.

link Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Texico junior Maryelle Dickerman goes on the attack at the net against Santa Rosa junior Nicolette Gonzales during Saturday’s District 5-3A volleyball tournament championship match at Texico. The Lady Wolverine added the tournament title to their regular-season crown with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-18 victory over the Lady Lions.

Whenever it got too tight, Lady Wolverines senior Jasmine Gannon provided the necessary punch.

Gannon finished with 12 kills and 15 digs — and added four blocks for good measure — as Texico turned back its rival 25-11, 25-21, 25-18. The Lady Wolverines (18-3) will now await a likely No. 1 seed in the upcoming Class 3A state meet when the NMAA officials get together today in Albuquerque.

Texico was never seriously threatened in the match, but there were times when Santa Rosa (15-7) made noise as if it were going to make it a match.

The first set was close before Texico put together a 10-0 run for a 21-10 lead, a stretch that included three kills from Gannon.

“We had some jitters at the beginning, but they’re a really good team,” she said of the Lady Lions. “They’re great competition; they make us work harder.”

Gannon, who is planning to sign this week to play volleyball next year at Eastern New Mexico University, had eight kills in the first set and added six kills and her first block in the second.

The Lady Lions made their best push in the econd set, leading for much of it and still tied as late as 21-21. Texico, though, scored the final four points, getting back-to-back ills from junior Cynthia Reynoso before senior middle blocker Mel Davalos finished it with a kill on set point.

That may have taken some of the wind out of Santa Rosa’s sails.Gannon got a block on the first point of Game 3 and the Lady Wolverines opened a 17-4 lead as Gannon began to take over around the net.

Santa Rosa mounted a charge down the stretch that proved to be too little, too late.

The Lady Lions got as close as 23-18 after an attack error by Gannon, but she came back with a kill on the next point

Texico has generally had its way with the Lady Lions over the years, but Lady Wolverines coach Kristen Scanlan said Santa Rosa generally brings out the best in her team.

The Lady Lions forced numerous long points against Texico, managing to dig up a lot of the Lady Wolverines’ attacks — even from Gannon.

“It’s always great to play Santa Rosa,” she said. “They dig up everything and force us to try to play error-free ball.

“They’re probably one of the best defensive teams in 3A. That can get into your hitters’ heads.”

Davalos added eight kills and a pair of blocks for the Lady Wolverines. Senior libero Micah Pinnell notched 23 digs and junior setter Kaylee Miller finished with 23 assists.

Gannon said her team probably didn’t play its best overall, but a lot of it had to do with Santa Rosa.

“They’re a scrappy team, so you have to play scrappy when you play against them.”

Junior outside hitter Mikayla Garland and senior outside hitter Sharmaine Benally led Santa Rosa with four kills apiece.