Lady Rams turn back Texico

TEXICO – Whenever Portales High's volleyball team needed a key point on Saturday, the Lady Rams knew where to go.

Five-foot-11 junior middle hitter Skyler Massey compiled 19 kills, and the Lady Rams turned back defending Class 2A state champion Texico 25-17, 25-23, 18-25, 25-18 in a battle of top-five teams.

Portales (10-7), ranked fourth in Class 4A by MaxPreps, erased an early five-point deficit in Game 4 after it looked like the Lady Wolverines (12-3), No. 3 this week in 2A, might be mounting a major comeback.

"It was a good (match)," said Massey, who also added eight digs and two aces for PHS. "It's nice whenever you have that cushion. It just makes it easier to handle it."

Senior setter Myleigh Banda notched eight kills, 24 digs and 46 assists for the Lady Rams. Senior libero Angel Ornelas posted 36 digs, while senior defensive specialist Tya Rippee had four kills and 17 digs.

When Massey's hits were on target, the Lady Wolverines had their hands full trying to dig them up.

"She does a good job," PHS coach Bailey Greenwalt said of Massey. "She's really learned how to put the ball where she wants it for kills."

Texico, whose only other losses were to Class 4A Albuquerque Academy and Class 5A Clovis, looked like it was on its way back when it scored six consecutive points to lead 6-1 in Game 4. The surge included three consecutive kills by junior outside hitter Kinzee Crow.

The set was tied several times before the Lady Rams went on a 5-0 run that included kills from Massey and Rippee and an ace from Ornelas to open a 19-15 advantage.

"We're just preparing for district," Massey said of the team's District 4-4A slate, which begins next Tuesday at Artesia. "I think it'll be tough, but I think we have the ability to pull through."

Texico coach Gabe Jones said Massey gave his team a look at something it might not see in 2A.

"Portales is big," he said. "We don't play teams (in 2A) as big as that.

"Portales was picking up everything. We were having trouble finding (open) spots on the floor."

Greenwalt said her team is in a good spot heading into district play.

"We have a very good chance (to do well) in district and at state," she said. "We haven't peaked yet, but we're not supposed to peak yet."

Crow finished with 13 kills and senior middle hitter Adalyn Autrey added eight kills and three blocks for the Lady Wolverines. Senior libero Abby Haakma chipped in 21 digs while senior outside hitter/setter Aspyn Furrow had five kills, 21 digs and 16 assists.

Texico, already 2-0 in District 4-2A, also had its remaining 10 regular-season tilts in district play. The Lady Wolverines hosted Hagerman on Tuesday night, and travel to Jal on Thursday.

Goddard tops Lady Rams in soccer – At the PHS pitch on Saturday, the Lady Rams managed a couple of second-half goals against Roswell Goddard but fell short in a 3-2 loss to the the district-leading Lady Rockets.

Goals by senior midfielder Lauren Medrano and junior forward Olivia Rossow staked Goddard 12-5-1, 4-0 District 4-4A) to a 2-0 halftime lead. Medrano then added her second goal of the contest before PHS (5-10, 0-4) pushed back with tallies from freshman forward Ariana Hernandez and junior forward/midfielder Maria Lujan down the stretch.

Junior goalkeeper Lissette Gomez made 18 saves for the Lady Rams.

Portales visits Artesia on Thursday, then finishes the regular campaign at home on Oct. 24 against Lovington.