Texico goes five sets to edge Logan

TEXICO – In an early-season matchup of small-school state volleyball powers, Texico had it, lost it and then in the end grabbed it back.

Up 2-0 against Class 1A No. 1 Logan on Thursday night, the Class 2A fourth-ranked and defending state champion Lady Wolverines suddenly found themselves in a winner-take-all fifth set before getting it turned around for a 25-17, 27-25, 14-25, 18-25, 15-8 triumph.

Senior outside hitter Kinzee Crow delivered eight kills and three aces while senior middle hitter Adalyn Autrey posted seven kills and two blocks for the Lady Wolverines (5-1), whose only setback this season came on Saturday to Class 4A Albuquerque Academy in the Moriarty Invitational.

Except for a 3-3 tie, Texico led the entire fifth set after getting dominated in Games 3 and 4 by the Lady Longhorns (6-2).

"Instead of being down, we were playing from ahead," Texico coach Gabe Jones said.

Logan, whose only loss was against Class 3A Tucumcari, had dropped just two sets in its six wins this season.

The Lady Longhorns graduated several key players from last season, but return probably the best athlete in Class 1A in junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Desta Rose, who compiled 14 kills, two blocks and 15 digs.

"We're still in the process (of rebuilding)," Logan coach Glynna Strand said. "To have come in and played well in Texico, I'm really proud of that."

Texico took control of the first set after a tip-kill and a block by junior middle hitter Kirra Fontanilla broke a 5-5 tie. Game 2 went back-and-forth, but the Lady Wolverines rallied back from a 13-7 deficit and, at 25-25, put it away when Autrey finished off a Logan overpass for a kill and then blocked Rose on set point.

Logan scored the first six points in Game 3 and led virtually the entire third and fourth sets. Rose began to get help from senior middle blocker/setter Haylie Bidegain, who finished with 13 kills, 22 assists, three aces and a block.

What happened in those two sets?

"We just got a little cold," said senior outside hitter/setter Aspyn Furrow, who had six kills and an ace. "We're good, but we still have a lot of improving to do."

Crow's kill helped get Texico off to a 2-0 lead in the third set, and after a 3-3 tie the Lady Wolverines dominated. At 12-8, kills by Furrow, Autrey and junior setter Kailie Weiland finished it off.

Sophomore outside hitter Aspen Casey added four kills, two blocks and two aces for Logan. Sophomore libero Jadyn Garcia had 24 digs and junior setter Charli Fuller contributed 21 aces.

"We have big shifts in momentum, and that's one of the things we have to address, but after the first set we played well," Strand said. "Any time you can stick with a team that'll probably be in (the championship hunt) in 2A, you're doing good."

Texico returns to action on Tuesday at Santa Rosa and on Thursday at Fort Sumner.

"Next week we'll be on the road, and it'll be a good challenge for us," Jones said. "We want to play the best teams possible, because that's only going to make us better."