Roswell High edges CHS

ROSWELL - The Clovis High volleyball team was oh, so close to a big road win and early control of the District 4-5A race on Saturday.

Host Roswell High, though, pulled out Game 4, then bolted to an 8-0 lead and held on in the deciding set to claim a 25-20, 14-25, 16-25, 25-23, 15-11 victory. The result leaves the Lady Wildcats (5-4, 2-1 district) in a three-way tie at the top with Hobbs and Roswell High.

"They just played well," CHS coach Darrell Ray said of the Lady Coyotes (3-4, 2-1). "We played a little flat in the first game, but turned it around in Game 2.

"We had a chance in Game 4, but we made about three mistakes after it was 17-17."

Ray said that because all the teams in the district are hovering around or slightly under .500 for the season, it's likely only the district winner will advance to Class 5A state competition next week. The five district winners and three at-large teams will make up the tourney.

Clovis played at Carlsbad on Tuesday night, then visits Hobbs on Thursday before hosting Roswell High in Saturday's district and regular-season finale.

"We're pretty much going to have to sweep all three to get to state," Ray said.

Senior Kameron Kelley combined eight kills, 14 digs, five aces and 23 assists for the Lady Cats, while senior Kaci Cabeldue had 10 kills and five blocks and senior Kiara Cox added eight kills and five blocks. Meantime, senior Tabitha Gallegos posted a double-double with 15 digs and 16 assists.

Clovis simply couldn't recover from the deep hole it dug in the final set.

"It was just a flood of little things," Ray said. "(Lady Coyotes) coach (Heather) Baca said it was the best they've played all season."

Artesia sweeps Lady Rams - Portales High couldn't close out late leads on Saturday and the Lady Rams suffered a painful three-set sweep to Artesia (25-18, 25-23, 28-26) in a District 4-4 A match at the RAC.

PHS (7-2, 1-2 district) fell to third place in the 4-4A standings behind Roswell Goddard and the Lady Bulldogs (7-2, 2-1). Portales led 18-11 in the second set and had a 24-22 advantage in the third, only to see Artesia come back both times.

"We had chances to win," PHS coach Ruth Chavez said. "We just had some hitting errors that cost us."

Juniors Adrianna Garcia and Rheagan Courtney each notched seven kills for the Lady Rams, while junior Kylyie Paden collected six kills, 10 blocks and three digs. Juniors Teagan Faust and Riley Shillings posted 15 digs and 15 assists, respectively.

"They're a good team; they're steady," Chavez said of the Lady Bulldogs. "It was a frustrating night for us, but I'm not going to take anything away from Artesia."

PHS hosted Goddard on Tuesday night. The Lady Rams finish the regular campaign with a home outing against Lovington on Thursday and a trip to Artesia on Saturday.