DENVER – Momentum can be tremendously fickle, especially on the biggest stage.

For two sets, No. 4 Mancos (23-3) looked unstoppable in their first state tournament match since 2011. The Jays pummeled kills and a bevy of aces to take a 2-0 lead over No. 5 Plateau Valley.

Then, in a flash it was gone. The energy swung to the Cowgirls (25-2) side of the Denver Coliseum, as Plateau Valley built large leads in each of the subsequent three sets to complete the five-set rally, 21-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-4.

Mancos, in search of the program’s first win in the state tournament in over 15 years, will look to regroup behind the leadership of head coach Brianna Yeomans-Allison and their pair of seniors, Haylie Higgins and Teya Yeomans.

The defeat for the Bluejays will send them into the contenders bracket of the 2A state tournament, where No. 6 Strasburg awaits for an 8 a.m. contest on Friday, Nov. 10.

Mancos will need to win twice on Friday to make it to championship Saturday. The winner of their match will face either No. 7 Swink or No. 8 Ignacio on Friday afternoon.