• 2024 Valencia County Prep Volleyball Previews • Playoffs possible for Eagles, Jaguars and Tigers

The local high school volleyball season is highlighted by new head coaches at Belen and Valencia, while Los Lunas is looking to reload and continue to be a challenger in 5A.

Belen Eagles

The Buddy York era at Belen High School got off to a positive start Aug. 22, with the Eagles dominating visiting Bloomfield 3-0 in the coach’s debut. Game scores were 25-12, 25-20 and 25-17.

“We’re starting to make a lot of good improvement,” said York, a few days before the first game. “Some of the girls that were weak in some areas are coming along pretty well.”

York, who was hired several weeks ago, previously coached most of the players at Belen Middle School.

“We have good hitters. We have some really powerful servers,” said York. “We’re a little weak in some areas, like height.” Not much can be done about that.

One of the “anchors” of the program is Mia Tapia, senior libero, who is direct when it comes to belief in her teammates.

“We’re kind of stacked. We have a lot of talent,” Tapia said. “Full hitters, better passers, everything — I’m just excited.”

Addison Soiles, junior outside hitter, said the Eagles’ “have a really good vibe.”

She points to Tapia at libero and, “We have two really strong middles. We have strong outsides, defense and good setters.”

Brook De Leon, senior, and Lydia Hull, freshman, are among those expected to play significant roles for BHS.

If the Eagles play a winning brand of volleyball, York is hopeful fans will turn out to support the team.

“We want to get people in the stands,” York said. “We want to get them excited.”

Belen is coming off a 10-12 record in 2023 under coach Victoria Spragg, who resigned at the end of the season.

Next up for BHS is a home game on Aug. 29 against Santa Fe Capital.

Valencia Jaguars

Resilience could describe the Valencia volleyball team.

Last season, the Jaguars posted a 14-11 record and reached the 4A State playoffs even though a coaching change was made just as the season got underway.

Martha Sisneros is the third head coach in less than a year at VHS, and she believes, “It’s been a huge adjustment,” for the players.

“I think the discipline and work ethic that we’re instilling in the program has been an adjustment for them,” Sisneros believes.

An adjustment perhaps, but Jaiden Montgomery, junior outside hitter, calls it, “Fantastic. We love it. We’re improving quickly.”

Montgomery, Valencia’s leader in kills in 2023, is particularly excited about the defense.

“Our defense has gotten much better,” Montgomery said about the Jaguars rotational approach. “We’ve never really done that before. Rotational defense is working much better for us.”

Montgomery’s sister, Eden, a sophomore, will also have big responsibilities up front.

“She’s killing it right now,” beams Jaiden.

Sisneros also looks for Monique Chavez, junior, and Brooke Romero, sophomore, to anchor the back row. Sophomores Christell Pacheco and Jazline Gonzales expect to be among those adding balance to the attack.

“You can see that dedication and that discipline through the summer,” Sisneros said. “Hopefully, it carries throughout the season.”

Tears welled in Sisneros’ eyes as she talked about how proud she was of the team.

“I believe in them, and I just hope they believe in themselves. I want them to be successful. Not only with volleyball but outside of volleyball.”

The season opener for VHS, which competes in District 5-4A, is August 29 at Rio Grande.

Los Lunas Tigers

Last season is a hard act to follow for the Los Lunas Tigers, who were a perfect 10-0 in District 5-5A, 21-5 overall, and a number four seed in the state tournament.

“We lost four players, all great players,” coach Tanya Sanchez said about last years’ senior group that included Riley Luther, now playing beach volleyball at Texas-El Paso.

Still, the cupboard is far from bare, with two second-team all-state players on the roster in Mia Mendoza, setter, and Lauren Shiplet, libero.

“We’re really good defensively,” said Mendoza, senior, who has been on varsity since eighth grade.

Shiplett is also in her fifth year, giving the Tigers valuable experience in another key position.

The other seniors are Addison Cordova-Wolfe, a defensive specialist, and outside hitter Mellody Chavez.

“They’re being really good leaders to the other girls,” Sanchez said, adding, “The chemistry is going to be there.”

The Tigers weakness is familiar — lack of size.

“We have to do a good job of being good defenders again,” said Sanchez. “We always try to be because of the height advantage of most teams in 5A.”

Overcoming a lack of size with speed will be the approach.

“We’re going to go fast in our offense,” to keep opponents off balance, said Mendoza.

One newcomer who does have experience is Lynae Hands, junior, who transferred from Volcano Vista in Albuquerque. Sanchez calls Hands “a Swiss Army Knife” because of her versatility.

“We really like her energy,” the coach said. “She’s really a good attacker.”

Los Lunas opened the season Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Roswell at LLHS and followed that up Tuesday with a straight game victory over Gadsden.

The Tigers will have a busy September, with tournaments in Las Cruces, Rio Rancho and in Albuquerque at the Metro Tournament.