Clovis volleyball team drops fifth straight

CLOVIS — When volleyball state tournament selection time rolls around in November, the Clovis Wildcats are somewhere between hopeful and optimistic they'll make the 12-team Class 6A field despite what has been a rough district season.

The overarching thought: Competitive losses in District 2-6A, which currently has three of the 6A's top five teams, will mean more than wins in another district.

It's some solace for the Wildcats, who took their fifth-straight loss Saturday as No. 5 Eldorado left Rock Staubus Gymnasium with a 25-23, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19 victory.

Senior Micah Livesay had 16 kills, and Gracelyn Stubbs and Keegan Lopez added 14 each as the Eagles (10-4, 4-2) won their third match in four tries to remain behind Sandia and La Cueva in the 2-6A standings.

The Wildcats fell in five Sept. 26 at Eldorado. This time around, the Eagles rarely dominated but were rarely out of control of the match either.

"Today we played more as a unit," said Lissa Warren, in her fourth season coaching Eldorado. "We were really coming together and our passing was on."

Clovis was in every game, but had to rally just to avoid the sweep. The Wildcats took control in the third set, using a 13-4 run to distance themselves from an 11-11 tie. The Eagles rallied back after changing to a 5-1 offense, but they were in too deep a hole well before Alexis Riach served out of bounds to give Clovis (8-7, 1-5) game point.

The Wildcats, led by Lexi Cole's 10 kills and seven blocks, fell behind 14-7 in the fourth set and never got closer than four the rest of the way.

"I think we did some good things," Clovis coach Ruth Chavez said. "We've just got to do a better job communicating with each other. We have to be more vocal."

Warren said both teams have improved since battling two-and-a-half weeks ago in Albuquerque. Clovis is better at picking things up defensively, she said, while the Eagles are better at finishing kills.

"We're hitting better, seeing the floor better," Warren said. "Our passing and hitting have come along. It's not just swinging at the ball anymore. We're now placing the ball so much better."

Chavez agreed, noting that when most 2-6A teams are hitting well they're difficult to stop.

"They're a bunch of athletic girls, they look good," Chavez said. "They hit the ball well, plus they dug everything. Their libero (Maggie Volk) was good."

Jada Gillespie led Clovis with 28 assists and had 17 digs. Kyli Osborn had 19 digs to lead the Wildcats.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday. Clovis hosts Manzano, while Eldorado visits Sandia.