Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
TEXICO — After getting a bit of a wakeup call earlier in the week, Texico’s volleyball team responded accordingly.
The Lady Wolverines clinched their eighth consecutive district title and 13th in 14 seasons under coach Kristen Scanlan on Thursday night, beating Clayton 25-17, 25-12, 25-12 in the District 6-2A and regular-season finale for both teams.
Texico (17-6, 5-1 district) lost at Santa Rosa in four sets on Tuesday night and finished in a tie with the Lady Lions (17-5, 5-1) for the top spot. But because they owned a 4-3 edge in games won head-to-head in district play, the Lady Wolverines earn the top seed from the district heading into next week’s 12-team Class 2A state tournament.
Texico lost in last year’s 2A finals to Cloudcroft, but had won the previous three state championships in 2A and three before that in then-Class 3A.
“This was a great win for us,” Scanlan said. “It gives us some momentum going into state.
“We rebounded really well (from Tuesday’s loss). I was proud of how the girls played.”
Clayton (8-11, 2-4) was relatively competitive for much of the opening canto, then jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second set to force Texico into a timeout. The Lady Wolverines promptly went on a 13-2 run capped by an ace from sophomore setter/outside hitter Ella Collins, and were never threatened from there.
Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Cassidy Haakma said Tuesday’s loss wasn’t the worst thing in the world for her team.
“It woke us up a lot,” said Haakma, who posted a team-leading nine kills and added seven digs and an ace against the Lady Jackets. “We went in there confident, but I think it was good to have this happen before state.”
Scanlan said she made a change recently, moving the 5-foot-7 Haakma from the left side to the right in the front row. Haakma said she’s adjusted well to the switch.
“I think we have a stronger block on the right side,” she said. “I was scared at first, but now I have more confidence playing the right side.”
The New Mexico Activities Association is slated to announce its state volleyball brackets later today. In 2A, Texico is certainly one of a handful of teams in contention for the title, and could possibly earn the top seed.
“There are probably six really strong teams in 2A,” Scanlan said. “Everybody’s going for a title this year.”
Senior middle blocker Skyler Schaap added six kills and senior outside hitter Jalissa Harrison five. Junior setter/outside hitter Catelyn Breshears had 12 assists, while Collins posted nine digs and nine assists.
The Lady Wolverines collected 10 service aces, including three by senior defensive specialist Jackie Posada, to just two for Clayton. Senior outside hitter Akira Herrera notched six kills for the Lady Jackets.
