Lady Rams come from behind for win over Clovis

CLOVIS - After dropping a long, back-and-forth set to start things off, Portales High steadily began to take control of Tuesday's volleyball match at Rock Staubus Gym.

Led by senior middle hitter Kylyie Paden, the Lady Rams took off in Game 2 and never really looked back in a 30-32, 25-13, 25-18, 25-20 triumph over the Lady Wildcats.

Paden was a stat-stuffer in the contest, collecting 20 kills, eight blocks, nine digs and six aces for Portales (2-1), which won its second in a row after a season-opening loss at Hobbs.

"We dug ourselves into a hole in the first game," first-year PHS coach Jacki Bailey said. "I thought we really played well in the second game.

"In the last two weeks, I think we're definitely seeing improvement."

Meantime, Clovis essentially had no answers for the 6-foot Paden.

"She came along at the right time (of the match)," Clovis coach Darrel Ray said. "It was a really good (match) until Game 4, when they decided to get her the ball."

After dominating Game 2, the final two sets were more competitive, but Bailey thought her team was in control of them for the most part. Senior libero Teagan Faust picked up 22 digs for the Lady Rams, and senior setter Riley Shillings had 28 assists.

Meantime, Ray thought his squad made strides from its season-opening home loss to Artesia on Aug. 26.

"I was proud of our kids," he said. "We played so much better than we did against Artesia. We blocked better and we passed better."

Senior Mili Ratledge and junior Zada Petner paced the Lady Cats with five kills each, and Ratledge added four blocks. Senior outside hitter Lucy Shreves notched a team-leading four aces, while senior libero Hannah Gallegos had 17 digs and junior setter Ella Howalt collected 25 assists and 11 digs.

Both squads were to return to action on Saturday in a 16-school get-together hosted by Moriarty. Orginally slated for two days, the teams were split into separate eight-team events for bracket play in a one-day format.