Lady Cats ready for opener

Clovis High’s volleyball team managed to earn a winning record in Cristy Hill’s first year at the helm.

Now the Lady Wildcats are looking to move up in District 4-5A play and trying to garner a Class 5A state tournament berth.

Hill lost four seniors to graduation last year, but thinks the Lady Wildcats (12-11, 2-4 district last year) will be able to challenge their district rivals.

“We’re in the mix with everybody,” said Hill, whose team opens with a 3 p.m. matchup against Santa Fe High on Saturday at Rock Staubus Gymnasium. “Everybody except maybe Carlsbad has a lot of seniors

“I think the girls are getting along well. We did some good things last year.”

Hill said her team will rely heavily on Ashlynn Evans, a 5-foor-8 senior outside hitter and a move-in from Hawaii. She hopes Evans can fill the shoes left by the graduation of three-year starter Kailyn Jefferson.

“Ashlynn kind of fills that spot,” Hill said. “I think we should be a little bigger along the front line.”

Other returning starters, all seniors, are setter Amanda De La Rosa, libero/defensive specialist Jori Mondragon and middle hitter Brooke Renteria.

Junior Brynn Petner, one of several others who saw significant varsity time last fall, will share setting duties with De La Rosa in the Lady Cats’ 6-2 alignment.

The Lady Cats tested themselves in scrimmages on Saturday in Albuquerque against Atrisco Heritage, Miyamura and host Cibola.

“Santa Fe will be a good test in the opener,” Hill said. “Hopefully, we’ll bring our ‘A’ game, and they’ll be a little ‘bus-lagged.’”