MANCOS – Even when a large group of Mancos volleyball seniors took flight from the nest this past May, first-year Bluejays head coach Monica Ramirez knew that her program was still in good hands.
The Bluejays ran a deep rotation last autumn, when Ramirez served as assistant coach, which included several underclassmen gaining valuable varsity experience. Those rising upperclassmen now take the reins with a chance to make their stamp on a program that’s been a tough customer in the San Juan Basin League for the past six years.
In that span, Mancos produced a double-digit win season each year, and a winning league record in all but one.
Above wins, however, Ramirez has her group focused on continued development of a team-centered mindset.
“Our goal is to make this an enjoyable environment for our athletes,” she said, “so we’ve been building communication and teamwork.”
Leading the way, the program’s lone senior Bailey Beh anchors the middle of the attacking front for the Bluejays. Beh led the team in kills last year and returns as one of the team’s top serving threats as well.
“She’s (Beh) embraced her role as a leader this year,” Ramirez said, “she’s consistently keeping the team’s spirits high, even when things get challenging.”
Meanwhile, a trio of underclassmen from last year – Laney Palmer, Tymbri Priestley and Tiffany McKinley – have upped their role as leaders, Ramirez said. Priestley was a day one starter at setter from her freshman season as she provided over 500 assists, and the offense will circulate through her this year once again.
Palmer became a defensive force at the net last year, while McKinley looks to provide stability for the Bluejays back line from her defensive specialist position.
“They’ve taken their own initiative to help their teammates on the court,” Ramirez said.
Mancos built through the summer open gyms and a camp at Northern Arizona University – time that Ramirez hopes will pay off when the Bluejays open the season with matches against Norwood (Aug. 20), Monticello (Aug. 25), and a tournament at West Grand (Aug. 28 and 29).
“We want to play with purpose,” Ramirez said, “and that means we give our best effort every time we step on the court.”
After a nonleague match against Dove Creek on Sept. 1, the Bluejays kick off SJBL play at Norwood on Sept. 3, followed by county rivals Dolores (Sept. 8) and M-CHS (Sept. 15). Mancos plays four of their final five regular season matches at home, closing with Nucla (Oct. 22) and Ridgway (Oct. 24), before the SJBL tournament over Halloween weekend.
