Lady Cats split bracket matches

ROSWELL — Clovis High’s volleyball team split a pair of matches in Bronze Bracket play in on Saturday in the 16-team Zia Classic, outlasting Silver 17-25, 25-21, 25-23, 14-25, 15-5 in the semifinals before losing to Roswell High 25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19 in the ninth-place clash.

The Lady Wildcats (2-6) went 6-8 in games during Friday’s pool play to earn the No. 9 seed coming into Saturday.

“Of the two (Saturday matches), we played better (against) Roswell,” Lady Cats coach Darrel Ray said. “We were hustling and flying around for balls.”

Against the Lady Colts (2-6), sophomore middle blocker Kailyn Jefferson collected 10 kills, while senior outside hitter Mili Ratledge had eight kills and four blocks. Also, senior libero Hannah Gallegos had 30 digs, junior setter Ella Howalt compiled 39 assists and senior outside hitter Lucy Shreves posted eight kills, six aces and a pair of blocks.

In the loss to the Lady Coyotes (5-3), Shreves had seven kills, 19 digs and a pair of blocks, and Howalt added 14 digs and 26 assists.

Clovis, which played at Roswell Goddard on Tuesday night, returns home for a 6 p.m. matchup against Lovington on Thursday at The Rock.

Cross country — Both Portales and Clovis squads were in action on Saturday in separate meets.

At the New Mexico Military Invitational in Roswell, Rams junior Michael Riess took first place in the 3-mile boys race, posting a time of 15 minutes, 49 seconds. Senior Evan Carbajal was eighth in 17:46 for the Rams, who finished fourth out of five full squads.

The Lady Rams had two varsity runners entered. Sisters Aubrey and Brooke McNeill, daughters of coach Laura McNeill, came in ninth (21:13) and 25th (23:33), respectively.

Meantime, CHS competed in the LCU Invite in Lubbock. The boys were 24th out of 32 full teams, while the girls finished sixth out of six full squads.

Senior Jase Nordgren led the Wildcats, placing 70th (out of 271 runners) with a 5K time of 19:51.70. The Lady Cats’ top runner was senior Shylee Tree, who came in 19th in a field of 51 with a clocking of 23:41.80.

“This was the biggest meet we’ve ever run since I’ve been coach,” CHS second-year coach Liz Ledezma said. “We actually had to move up four runners from the junior varsity for various reasons.

“Shylee did really good; it seems like she’s getting more confidence. Almost everybody set a PR (personal record).”

Full team scores were not available from either event.

Clovis and Portales are back in action on Saturday in the Carlsbad Invitational, scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.