Lady Bulldogs turn back Clovis

CLOVIS - Thursday's season-opening volleyball match for Clovis High was one of runs for both teams.

It just happened that Artesia's surges were longer and stronger.

The Lady Wildcats erased an early six-point deficit to capture the opening set, but Artesia proved to be too strong over the long haul and improved to 3-0 with a 21-25, 25-14, 25-13, 25-17 win at Rock Staubus Gym.

Clovis, with a bevy of new faces on the varsity level, made runs in each set, but couldn't stay with the Lady Bulldogs.

"We're a team that's just got to get better," CHS coach Darrel Ray said. "There were times out there where we showed a little bit, and then we'd just disappear."

CHS erased a 10-4 deficit in Game 1 with a 13-4 surge. Then, after the teams were tied from points 17-21, Clovis collected the final four tallies, starting with an ace from senior libero Hannah Gallegos which clipped the net and fell in.

In Game 2, the Lady Cats erased a 4-0 deficit with seven unanswered. They still led 8-7 before Artesia took command with a 9-0 surge, and the Lady Bulldogs finished it with the final six points.

Neither team led by more than two points in the third set until Artesia went on a 7-0 blitz, including a couple of service aces from senior Ashlyn Rodriguez. The Lady Bulldogs then finished off the match in Game 4 with five of the final seven points.

"They were just able to generate more runs than we were," Ray said. "They passed the ball better and set the ball better."

Senior outside hitter Lucy Shreves had three kills for the Lady Cats, but only three others managed as many as two. Ratledge had three blocks, while Gallegos finished with nine digs and four aces and junior setter Ella Howalt compiled six digs and 14 assists.

Hobbs 3, Portales 0 (Tuesday) - At Hobbs, the Lady Rams got better as the match went on, but weren't able to get over the hump in Jacki Bailey's debut as PHS coach.

"We (struggled) the first two sets, but we battled the way we're capable of in the third game," Bailey said. "But I think we can learn from every loss. They exposed some things we have to work on, and it inspires us to (increase) our intensity and focus."

Hobbs, also playing its season opener, led almost all the way and fended off a bid by PHS to extend the match late in the third set.

Senior Adrianna Garcia led PHS with five kills, while senior Kylyie Paden had four kills and five blocks. Senior Teagan Faust led the team with six digs while senior Riley Shillings posted seven assists.

The Lady Cats and Lady Rams collide in their next outing, set for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at The Rock.