Clovis volleyball aims to be uncommon on court

CLOVIS — The Clovis volleyball team is on a mission this season.

A mission to win? Yes, of course, like any team. But the Lady Wildcats are also on somewhat of a philosophical mission, a mission not to be ordinary, a quest to stand out.

“Our theme for the year is ‘built different,’” Clovis volleyball coach Ruth Chavez said, “because I told (the players), ‘if you want to do great things, you can’t do what everybody else is doing. ... We have to go and do extra. ... We don’t want to be average. We want people to know that Clovis volleyball is coming to town. We want to be uncommon.”

Whether or not the Lady Wildcats are uncommonly good remains to be seen in a drama that will start playing out Thursday night against Artesia at Rock Staubus Gymnasium. Chavez, beginning her third season as Wildcats head coach following 29 in the Portales program, likes what she’s seen from her Clovis team so far.

“We’re looking pretty good, pretty scrappy, working hard and have really great leadership,” Chavez said. “I’m really satisfied with where we are right now.”

Where they’ll be in November is going to be determined by a junior-laden group. Daisy Dodge of Clovis softball catching fame is the volleyball team’s lone senior, and she’ll play setter.

The junior class is eight strong on Chavez’s team and that’s not a bad thing. Junior setter/hitter Kameron Kelley was All-District 4/5-A first-team last season, while defensive specialist/outside hitter Tabatha Gallegos was last year’s district newcomer of the year.

Then there’s outside hitter Kaci Cabeldue, libero Camryn Barros, middle blockers Kiara Cox and Skyler Jordan, and defensive specialists Janelle Macias and Maddison Harmon.

Big contributions are also expected from the team’s two sophomores — outside hitter Cady Ratledge and defensive specialist Hannah Gallegos.

“And then we have jayvee kids that are pushing for those spots,” Chavez noted, “so it’s a battle. Everything is earned, nothing is given.”

The program is coming off a 6-14 season, so there’s plenty of room to grow. But Chavez is confident in the above group’s ability to do just that, to be competitive against the district likes of Carlsbad, Hobbs and Roswell, and their other opponents too.

“We’ve worked all spring, all summer,” Chavez said. “I think the greatest thing that I see in this team is outstanding leadership. They hold each other accountable, they work hard, they do everything that I ask of them. They work every day as hard as they can and they challenge each other to work hard. So I think when you have a great work ethic like that, you’re going to get better. And I’ve seen them change in everything.

“The game looks good,” Chavez continued. “They’re not big, we’re not a big team. But we’re a scrappy little team, we’re a hard-working team and our ball control is good, so I feel like that’s going to keep us in ballgames and give us an opportunity to win.”