Mancos volleyball races past Dove Creek in San Juan Basin League

Mancos senior Destiny Kramer’s spike is met by high hands from Dove Creek sophomore Leah Barnett (left) and junior Kaybree Smith in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

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Mancos senior Destiny Kramer’s spike is met by high hands from Dove Creek sophomore Leah Barnett (left) and junior Kaybree Smith in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

MANCOS – Now into the middle third of their schedule, it looks like the Bluejays are hitting their stride.

Mancos (7-7, 4-2 2A/1A SJBL) swept Dove Creek at Bluejay Fieldhouse on Tuesday night for its fourth win in six matches. The Bluejays won decisively: 25-19, 25-17, 25-16, securing a season sweep of the Bulldogs.

First-year head coach Delaney Wright’s squad leaned on steady back-line play, led by senior libero Lexi Lyons, to limit errors and apply pressure.

Down 21-9 in the second set, the Bulldogs (1-9, 0-3 2A/1A SJBL) put together their best stretch, compiling eight straight points to close the gap to 21-17. Mancos responded with four quick points to take a 2-0 lead and closed out the match with a dominant third set.

The Bluejays rank inside the top 36 of the 2A CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index, on the cusp of playoff positioning. They face a tough road stretch next week: Dolores (Oct. 2), Telluride (Oct. 4) and league-leading Ignacio (Oct. 9).

Dove Creek looks to bounce back with a Homecoming match against Norwood (Sept. 26), followed by a trip to Ouray (Sept. 30).

Dove Creek’s Ariana Rockwell rises at the net to attack the MHS defense in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

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Dove Creek’s Ariana Rockwell rises at the net to attack the MHS defense in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

Mancos senior Lexi Lyons fires a serve in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

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Mancos senior Lexi Lyons fires a serve in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

Dove Creek junior Kaybree Smith bumps the ball in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

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Dove Creek junior Kaybree Smith bumps the ball in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

Mancos sophomore Aurelia Bueno-Valdez hits a tip shot over the net in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

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Mancos sophomore Aurelia Bueno-Valdez hits a tip shot over the net in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

Dove Creek junior Mykaela Fury jumps to block an attack from Mancos senior Caylee Moore in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

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Dove Creek junior Mykaela Fury jumps to block an attack from Mancos senior Caylee Moore in a match between Mancos and Dove Creek on Tuesday night. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal