After months of buildup at the DHS Fieldhouse, the Dolores volleyball monsoon looks ready to unleash its full potential as the San Juan Basin League season gets underway in the coming weeks.
The Bears (5-0) let their relentless attack do the talking Tuesday night at The Jungle, sweeping Montezuma-Cortez (2-1) in a 3-0 victory over the host Panthers.
First-year DHS head coach Brianna Wyatt and her team roared out to a strong start in front of a loud traveling fan section, utilizing their 6-2 alignment to keep M-CHS guessing. The setter tandem of junior Madi Thornbrugh and freshman Addyson Wyatt combined for 22 assists on the Bears’ 27 kills.
“We felt like we could go anywhere with the ball,” said Wyatt, underscoring the trust the players have with one another. “And we also controlled our tempo, which allowed us to really get after it tonight.”
From one antenna to the other, the Bears struck with ferocity, leaning on juniors Kendall Chavez and Aubree Wyatt for the lion’s share of the kills. When they weren’t collecting conventional kills, the Bears stymied the M-CHS attack, elongating points and forcing the Panthers into errors to take the first set, 25-21.
With Chavez at the service line during a decisive stretch in the second set, the junior peppered the Panthers’ back line with a series of dominant serves, stretching a 16-11 lead to 21-11. The Bears closed out the set, 25-17, before seizing control of the third with more precise serving.
Six different players accounted for the Bears’ 11 aces. Just as importantly, DHS limited their unforced errors, forcing the Panthers and their powerful outside hitter TessaMercedes Jackson to earn every point.
Many of the Bears had previously played alongside Jackson and classmate Anna Tewell on Club Z, based in Farmington, giving them firsthand insight into the Panthers’ offensive threats. Freshman libero Layla Mitchell anchored a busy Bears back line, limiting the Panthers duo to 13 combined kills on 43 attacks.
“Our goal was to keep them out of their system,” added Wyatt. “All of our girls have hands (quick reflexes and ball control), so we kept a lot of plays alive and did what we could to make them earn their points.”
Junior Akaia Edwards and senior Taylor Erautt helped fortify the front line for Wyatt’s Bears, as Dolores pulled away for a 25-17 final set victory.
“The cohesiveness that we have off the court has built the camaraderie that we need on the court,” said Wyatt. “And the girls have a selfless mentality – they fight together, win or lose.”
Panthers senior setter Kescoleigh Boeckman put together an energetic performance for M-CHS, contributing 14 assists, seven digs and two blocks in the Panthers’ first loss of the season.
After cruising past Nucla in their San Juan Basin League and home opener last week, Dolores now prepares for a rivalry match against Mancos on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Bluejay Fieldhouse. First serve is at 6:30 p.m.
Montezuma-Cortez looks to bounce back as they face Kanab (Utah), Monument Valley (Utah) and Coconino (Arizona) in tournament action in Page, Arizona, on Sept. 5. Intermountain League play begins Sept. 9 against Bayfield.
