Over the course of 19 regular season games, the Dolores High School girls volleyball team asserted itself as the best team in the San Juan Basin League and one of the top teams in the state.

The Lady Bears’ final two regular season matches of the season took place at home against Norwood (Oct. 19) and Ouray (Oct. 21) and resulted in resounding victories.

Knowing that a victory over Norwood would result in an outright San Juan Basin League title, the Lady Bears scored early and often using their trademark balanced attack and walked away with a 25-10, 25-17, 26-24 victory.

Six different Dolores players registered kills in the match, including Jordan Elder (10), Josie Majors (9), Sierra Schwartz (8), Tatum Majors (6) and Cameron Elder (4). Senior setter Abby Jones assisted on 32 of the Lady Bears’ 38 total kills.

Defensively, Dolores was anchored by Schwartz’s 17 digs, while junior Cameron Schafer led Dolores in aces with three. Smith, Tatum Majors, and Cameron Elder each blocked shots for the Lady Bears.

Two days later, Dolores returned to its home court against Ouray and capped off its perfect San Juan Basin League season with a 25-11, 25-8, 25-10 win over Ridgway. With the win, the Lady Bears became the first team to finish a season undefeated in SJBL games since 1973.

With their regular season now complete, Dolores will next compete in the Class 2A District 3 Tournament, which will take place at Dolores High School on Oct. 28. The Lady Bears will enter the tournament as the District’s top seed and will take on No. 4-ranked Ignacio at 10 a.m. The Lady Bears will then play No. 3 Telluride at noon and No. 2 Ridgway at 2 p.m.