Saturday, August 23, 2008

Lady Eagles will still be young, but have returners

BHS hosts tournament to open season

John Gale News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jgale@news-bulletin.com

Belen Belen High School's volleyball team will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in which the team lost its last 12 matches, including all 11 district contests. The team finished 5-16 overall.

That was a setback from a more-promising 2006 season, when the Lady Eagles finished 11-12 overall and 2-8 in district.

Eagles coach Barbara Rodriguez said her team's lack of experience is one of the reasons Belen struggled in 2007, but the Eagles only graduated three seniors, so the returners will benefit from the experience gained last year.

"We were really young last year," Rodriguez said. "We had a lot of freshmen in our group. We have some real good varsity experience now, but we need to not play as a young team. We need to play a year older."

Senior outside hitter Brittany Jaramillo was the lone Eagle to make the All-District First Team, and she will return to that position, where she will carry much of the team's offense.

"I think she does carry a big load because she takes it on herself, and she hits well, but people will key in on that, so the rest of us have to be ready to hit," Rodriguez said. "We want our whole team calling for the ball and being able to hit the ball when it comes to our way."

Senior Connie Sanchez will be the starting setter in Belen's 5-1 offense, while the third senior on the team, Sarah Thompson, will play middle blocker.

Among juniors, Cierra Cox will move from middle blocker to outside hitter, and Justine Gallegos will play her second year as the starting libero.

Sophomore Julie Baca will join Thompson in the middle, while Justine Gonzales and Amanda Baca will play in the back row. Karin Romero, Danette Tonihka and JoHanna Castillo round out the varsity.

Rodriguez said the strength of the team is its hitting, provided the back row players can pass well enough to keep the team in system.

"I think we have strong hitters that can really do some damage," Rodriguez said. "We can always work on our passing. Passing is the key to consistency, and everything starts with consistency in volleyball."

Belen will compete in district 6-4A, along with St. Pius, Grants and Volcano Vista. Former district rivals Moriarty — the defending state champions — and Del Norte remain in 5-4A.

The Eagles will open their season at home in their annual tournament on Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30. Cuba, Laguna, Socorro, Taos, Grants, Thoreau and Tornillo will join Belen in the competition. The tournament begins on Friday at 10 a.m. with Belen facing Cuba to open round robin play.

The top four teams at the end of the day will advance to the winner's semifinals on Saturday, with the two matches starting at 11 a.m.

The bottom four teams will compete in a consolation bracket.

The third-place game will be played at 2 p.m., while the championship match will follow at 4 p.m. or 20 minutes after the end of the first match.

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