MANCOS – Mancos High School may have saved a bit on its electricity bill Thursday night. The Bluejays and Bears provided enough voltage inside Bluejays Fieldhouse to keep the gymnasium lit for weeks.
In an emotionally charged volleyball match, Dolores withstood several Mancos rallies in a 25-19, 25-17, 28-26 sweep to remain unbeaten this season.
Ranked No. 2 in Class 2A in the first CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index, Dolores head coach Brianna Wyatt led her Bears into a battle against her former team. First-year Mancos head coach Delaney Wright had her squad ready for the challenge, with each point eliciting a roar from the boisterous MHS and DHS student sections.
Dolores (6-0, 2-0 San Juan Basin League) struck first, using a late run in the opening set to pull away after Mancos (5-6, 2-2 SJBL) stayed within striking distance early.
The Bears capitalized on the momentum, surging to a double-digit lead in the second set with a 20-9 advantage, before the Bluejays rallied. Their comeback fell short when Dolores sealed set point.
If the first two sets were an appetizer, the third served up the main course. Mancos jumped out to a 13-7 lead, with Bluejays junior Bailey Beh and senior Caylee Moore helping to inspire the Bluejays’ best stretch of the match.
Dolores freshman Addyson Wyatt served the Bears back into the set, rattling off seven straight points for the visitors before Mancos senior Destiny Kramer stopped the run with a soft touch over the Bears’ wall to tie the score at 14.
“Destiny was a really smart player. Even when she wanted to use power, she saw what was open and took advantage of it,” said Mancos first-year head coach Delaney Wright.
Former Bluejay Aubree Wyatt, now with Dolores, delivered a cross-court kill to put the Bears ahead 16-15, sparking a 7-3 run that extended the lead to 22-18.
Mancos sophomore Laney Palmer came up big in the middle, starting a comeback with a kill. Kramer and Beh followed to tie the score at 22. The Bluejays edged ahead 24-23, but Wyatt answered with another kill to deny set point.
Dolores turned away two set points before DHS junior Akaia Edwards posted a solo block to give the Bears a 26-25 edge. Kramer responded with a deft attack to keep Mancos alive, but Wyatt had the final say with a perfectly placed touch shot to seal the win.
The Bears kept Mancos senior libero Lexi Lyons busy all evening, as the Bluejays handled the heat from DHS hitters as well as any opponent Dolores has faced this season.
With all the energy of a rivalry match, Wright expected some jitters, but once the opening serve was struck, her team got down to business.
“They pushed through and fought all the way to the end,” applauded Wright. “I’m so happy they left it on the court.”
The Bluejays have held their own against several teams ranked in the top 15 in Class 2A, including Buena Vista and West Grand, as well as top-tier San Juan Basin League opponents. With more tough competition ahead, Wright said team chemistry will be key to a postseason return.
“We came together better as a team tonight,” said Wright. “We learned what it was like to do the little things right.”
The Highway 184 rivalry resumes Oct. 2 in Dolores. In the meantime, Mancos visits Montezuma-Cortez on Sept. 16 for a 7 p.m. match. Dolores faces Ouray on Sept. 13, followed by road games against Nucla and Telluride on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively.
