Lady Rams post victory over Texico

TEXICO — Second-year Portales High volleyball coach Jacki Bailey believes her relatively inexperienced squad is starting to find its footing.

On Saturday, the Lady Rams turned the tables on an earlier five-set loss to Texico in PHS’ Peyton Chavez Invitational by storming back to top the Lady Wolverines 14-25, 25-12, 25-15, 25-22. The teams met again in Portales next Tuesday.

“The last two (matches) we’ve played a lot cleaner,” Bailey said. “We lost big in the first game, but we weren’t rattled and we played solid the last three games.”

Freshman middle hitter Skyler Massey led three players with double-doubles for the Lady Rams (6-7), posting a match-high 14 kills and adding a team-high 13 digs. She also collected four blocks.

Meantime, senior outside hitter Emma Long notched a whopping 11 service aces to go with 11 digs, and senior setter Maebri Knox had 11 digs and 33 assists.

“We had a lot of people who stepped up,” Bradley said. “(Senior defensive specialist) Cyria Aguirre played good defense for us tonight.”

For Texico (7-5), a challenging week at home didn’t quite go the Lady Wolverines’ way. They also lost to Class 1A top-ranked and unbeaten Melrose in three sets on Thursday night.

“We jumped on them, but I’m not sure what happened after that,” first-year Texico coach Gabe Jones said of Saturday’s tilt. “They hit the ball well, and we struggled with serve-receive.”

Senior middle hitter Emma Wahlen had eight kills and four blocks for the Lady Wolverines, while sophomore middle hitter Adalyn Autrey contributed six kills and three blocks. Texico had three players with double figures in digs, topped by sophomore libero Desiree Holman with 22.

Next up for the Lady Rams was a Tuesday matchup against Hobbs at the RAC. On Saturday, they’ll be in Friona for clashes against the host Squaws and Amarillo Highland Park.

Texico was to host Lovington on Tuesday night before traveling to Saturday’s Capitan Classic.

Second-ranked Goddard edges Rams in OT — Junior forward Oscar Varela scored about seven minutes into sudden-death overtime on Saturday, and Roswell Goddard escaped with a 2-1 District 4-4A boys soccer victory over Portales High at the PHS pitch.

“We played amazing,” Rams coach Ruben Tellez said. “We had a breakdown and they were able to win the game. We did almost everything right and still came up short.”

Sophomore midfielder Gabriel Duran put the Rams (4-8, 0-2 district) in front by converting a penalty kick in the 25th minute. That margin held up until just under three minutes remained in regulation when junior forward/midfielder Victor Diaz found the back of the net for the Rockets (14-2, 2-0), ranked No. 2 this week in Class 4A.

Goddard earned a 12-5 margin in shots on goal and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Mathew Garcia collected 10 saves for the Rams.

Portales continued district play this week, traveling to Artesia on Tuesday night before hosting Lovington at Greyhound Stadium on Saturday.

Lovington blanks Lady Rams — In a battle of two rebuilding programs, Lovington pulled away in the second half for a 3-0 District 4-4A girls soccer victory over Portales High on Saturday at Lovington.

Julie Astudillo posted a goal and an assist for the Lady Wildcats (2-12, 1-1 district), scoring to put them in front with just over four minutes left in the first half.

Despite her team’s struggles, second-year coach Bonnie Britton believes the Lady Rams (0-9-2, 0-2) are headed in the right direction.

“There’s a lot of talent,” she said. “I think with time and maturity, we’ll get there.”

She said that because of injury and illness, her squad had just 12 players available for the match — in other words, just one sub.

Freshman keeper Lissette Gomez was peppered with shots from Lovington, but made 18 saves to help PHS stay in contention.

Portales’ next outing is on Thursday against district foe Roswell Goddard at Greyhound Stadium.