Lady Rams will build around seniors

PORTALES - The Portales Lady Rams will have a similar look on the court this season, but a new look on the sideline.

Moriarty assistant Jacki Bailey takes over the program after longtime coach Ruth Chavez stepped down to become the school's athletic director earlier this summer.

It's been a quick turnaround. PHS opens its 2021 campaign on Tuesday night at Hobbs.

"We've had a short summer," said Bailey, a 2008 Moriarty graduate who spent the past nine seasons as an assistant coach for the Lady Pintos. "We had about two weeks and then we jumped back in (with the start of practice) on Aug. 9. But I think we're going in the right direction."

Portales, which went 9-4 in the spring and lost to Hope Christian in the Class 4A state quarterfinals last April - a match played, ironically, at Moriarty - will build around four seniors, most of whom have been regulars for the Lady Rams for at least two seasons. They include middle hitters Kylyie Paden and Adrianna Garcia, libero Teagan Faust and setter Riley Schillings.

"We have a lot of seniors this year," Faust said. "I think we'll do well as long as we do the little things right and play with energy."

Battling through the pandemic with a short spring campaign has been challenging, she said.

"We've had to work hard to get back to where we need to be," she said. "We still need to keep working."

The remaining seven players on the roster are essentially up from the junior varsity.

Bailey had known Chavez for some time through volleyball, and was happy to have the opportunity to take over the program.

"I'm excited to get the season going," she said. "We have a core group that's pretty experienced, with a large number of seniors and upperclassmen who play really well together.

"I've been happy with the blend of experience and those that are first-time varsity (players)."

She said the varsity should go around 10 deep in its normal rotation. Among others who should help are senior setter Angela Maestas, junior utility player Emma Long and senior outside hitter Rebekah Courtney, Bailey added.

"I think we have a lot of potential to be great," Paden said. "I hope to be a great leader for my team. I just want us to do better than we did last (spring)."

PHS was second in District 4-4A last spring to Roswell Goddard, and made the eight-team state playoffs as an at-large selection.

"I think this team can do some fun things (this season) in the playoffs," Bailey said. "We have the experience to make a run. If the pieces fall together and we continue to progress, I think we can be a top-four team (in 4A)."

The Lady Rams will be on the road until Sept. 16 when they entertain Carlsbad at the Ram Athletic Center.