During the past two seasons, the Mancos High School volleyball team was unable to defeat Dolores, losing six straight matchups.
On Sept. 16, the Bluejays finally defeated their rivals, winning 25-20, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18 in Mancos.
After struggling during the early stages of the match, the Bluejays pulled things together to close out the first set in impressive fashion.
"The first game, we started a little bit off," said Bluejays senior Jessica Willburn. "Then we all started connecting and getting our flow together. It just worked really well."
Continuing to build momentum in the second set, the Bluejays again dictated play, utilizing a diversified attack to cruise to a 25-17 victory.
"We just had intensity and we knew that we could do it," said Bluejays senior Courtney Colyer. "A lot of other teams have one base hitter. We have a lot of options, and it's hard to read us."
Looking to close things out in the third set, the Bluejays hit a roadblock, falling behind 13-11.
After consecutive aces by junior Taryn Gordanier tied the set, 13-13, Dolores mounted a 4-0 run to pull ahead 17-13.
Although the Bluejays managed to tie things the set, 21-21, Dolores closed strong, winning the final four points of the set thanks kills by Taylor Elder and Courtney Blackmer and two hitting errors by Mancos.
From then on, it was all Bluejays as Mancos jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth set and never looked back.
Multiple kills by Colyer, a tip by Kaylee Rose, and an incredible block by Rose allowed Mancos to pull ahead 23-17, and the Bluejays closed out the set 25-18 after a Dolores hitting error.
As audience members celebrated, Colyer took a moment to discuss the significance of beating the Bears.
Since we were freshmen, we've always had a hard time (beating Dolores)," said Colyer. "Tonight, we finally got it done."
Two days after defeating Dolores, the Bluejays played at home and won again, defeating Nucla 25-21, 15-25, 25-14, 27-25.
Keying the Bluejays victory was outstanding hitting performance by Colyer, who led the Bluejays with 24 kills. Also contributing offensively was Gordanier, who registered 14 kills.
Defensively, no Mancos player was better than Jessica Willburn, who had a team-high 45 digs. Colyer added 20 digs and Jessica Gutierrez had 14.
Playing their final game of the week in Ridgway, the Bluejays were finally defeated, losing 25-18, 25-17, 26-24 to their talented opponents.
Statistical leaders for Mancos included Colyer, who had 12 kills, Willburn, who had 35 digs, Nicole Hess, who had three aces and Jessica Gutierrez, who had 23 assists.
Now holding a record of 6-2 on the season, the Bluejays will next play on the road against Aztec on Sept. 25.
