IHS tightens grip on SJBL with road win
Closing out the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week with a trip Saturday, Oct. 11, to Nucla, the Ignacio Volleycats tried making the referees’ day go as smoothly as possible and swept the hosting Lady Mustangs 25-16, 25-17, 25-22.
While remaining 5-0 in 2A San Juan Basin League work – thanks to a controlling 25-13, 25-15, 25-20 home win on the 9th over Mancos – IHS improved to 7-0 in all 2A/1A SJBL action, and to an outstanding 13-3 overall.
In the sweep of the Lady Jays, sophomore middle Alleah Neil hammered eight kills, while juniors Reggi Gustafson and Lainee Bradley each totaled seven. Senior Juliann Avila was credited with five, as was junior setter Kelly Sirios, who also totaled 21 assists and came up with nine digs.
Junior libero Tarah Baker ended up making eight digs, while Bradley and junior Maliyah Martinez were credited with four apiece. At the net, Avila logged two solo blocks and one assisted (with Sirios), and Neil made two solo stuffs.
“They kept tipping around me almost every time I’d go up on the outside, so that was frustrating; I could only just watch (the ball) pass my fingers, you know? It was a little tough,” said a grinning Neil, “but I was like ‘I’m going to block them!’ That was the mentality the whole time.”
“And Juliann did really good! I feel like we’ve been working a lot on it in practice, so it’s really paying off.”
At NHS, Martinez and Gustafson each cracked seven kills, Neil downed six and Bradley five. Sirios totaled 23 assists and came up with eight digs, trailing only Baker (9) and Martinez (12) in that department. Bradley and Gustafson each came up with six digs, Neil made three solo blocks and Avila two as Nucla slipped to 3-3 in 2A/1A SJBL play (remaining 2-0 in 1A SJBL work) and to 9-8 overall.
Looking ahead, IHS will host Ridgway for a pair of 2A SJBL matches on Friday, Oct. 17, beginning at 3 p.m., then travel to 1A Ouray the next day. Results from Ignacio’s 10/16 away match at 3A Pagosa Springs were unavailable at press time.
“We’re just going to keep building on what we have … and the variety of things we can do,” Martinez said.
“This team is a lot of fun; all the girls get along really well,” said Gustafson. “And I think the more fun we have, the better we play and better (our) connection.”