By Ian MacLaren

For The Journal

Through its first nine games of the season, the Dolores High School volleyball team has reeled off eight victories and made mincemeat of the San Juan Basin League.

The Lady Bears latest victim came in the form of the Telluride Miners, who arrived in Dolores on Sept. 21 and were subsequently defeated, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 25-12.

Sophomore star Jordan Elder led Dolores in kills with 16, Josie Majors smashed down six winners, and Tatum Majors and Sierra Schwartz each registered four kills. Tatum Majors and Schwartz tied for the team lead in aces with four, while also putting forth solid defensive performances with 13 digs and sixteen digs, respectively.

Junior setter Abby Jones consistently set up teammates in route to a team-high 29 assists, while the Majors sisters made their presence felt at the net with three blocks each.

Next up for the Lady Bears will be a San Juan Basin League match-up against Dove Creek in Dolores on Sept. 26. Dove Creek, which has won six straight matches and stands at 8-2 overall, figures to present a stiff test for Dolores in what will be the first of two regular season match-ups between the rivals this season.