Lady Cats fall to Goddard in five sets

ROSWELL – Clovis High’s volleyball team seemed on its way to victory Tuesday night before things came a bit unraveled.

Roswell Goddard roared from behind to take a 23-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-7, 15-7 victory over the Lady Wildcats.

“We played incredible in Games 1 and 2,” CHS coach Cristy Hill said. “We missed 11 serves in Game 1, and we still won.”

Junior outside hitter Ashlynn Evans collected 18 kills, seven digs, two blocks and two aces for Clovis (5-4).

“Ashlynn was getting balls down every time,” Hill said. “Maybe she got a little tired in Game 4. I could feel the momentum changing.”

The Lady Rockets (4-3) got on the board with a competitive third-set win, but completely controlled Game 4 to pull even in the match. The deciding fifth set was tied 5-5 before Goddard tallied 10 of the final 12 points.

Senior middle hitter Maricella Gutierrez also had a pair of blocks for the Lady Cats. Senior libero/defensive specialists Jecenia Jimenez and Jori Mondragon had eight digs apiece, while Mondragon also had three aces and senior setter Amanda De La Rosa posted 20 assists.

The Lady Cats were in Portales High’s Peyton Chavez Invitational over the weekend. They face St. Michael’s in a 6 p.m. Tuesday matchup at Santa Fe.