Los Lunas Tigers make final four at state volleyball

RIO RANCHO — Los Lunas reached the final four of the 5A State Volleyball Championship last weekend at Rio Rancho Events Center, while Valencia went 0-2 in the 4A tournament.

As the number No. 4 seed, Los Lunas (17-8) received a first-round bye. In their first game, the Tigers swept past 12th seeded Sandia 25-17, 25-12, 25-19.

That set up a match Friday against No. 1 seed Las Cruces, the unbeaten, defending champion, who would go on to take another title. The taller Bulldawgs rolled through the first two games 25-13, 25-11; however, LLHS took them to the limit in game three before losing 25-23.

“We started passing better, our defense was better. We were blocking better,” said Tanya Sanchez, LLHS coach.

Sanchez said the third set gave the players more confidence, which carried through the rest of the tournament.

“We were swinging (hitting) without any fear of getting blocked. That was definitely a turning point for us.”

Los Lunas stayed in the hunt for a trophy with a tight three set victory over Santa Fe, 25-21, 29-27, 25-17. Despite being shorter on the front wall,

“We had a lot of good kills against them,” according to Sanchez.

In the semifinals, Los Lunas took No. 3 La Cueva to four games but lost 3-1.

“We had a lot of solo blocks against them, which is very exciting,” Sanchez said about the third set, which LLHS won 25-21. “The energy kind of turned our way.”

Unofficially, Los Lunas and Cleveland tied for third place, each finishing with a 2-2 record. There was not a third-place contest.

Sanchez will need to replace four seniors, Mia Mendoza, who has signed with New Mexico State; Lauren Shiplet, Mellody Chavez and Addison Cordova-Wolfe.

“It’s going to be tough,” said Sanchez about replacing them. “It’s been like a dynasty.”

Mendoza, Shiplet and Chavez will play Saturday in the 5A Red vs. Green All-Star game at St. Pius.

Valencia Jaguars

Valencia (15-10) had the misfortune of opening the 4A championship against No. 10 Artesia, the surprise of the tournament. VHS, the seven seed, fell to the Bulldogs in three sets 25-18, 25-16, 25-18.

“We didn’t hit very well,” said Martha Sisneros, Valencia coach. “Artesia was tough. It’s a whole different season when you come here,” to a state tournament. Artesia reached the title game, before losing to St. Pius.

That set up a loser out game Friday against #8 Valley, which had defeated the Jaguars during the regular season. Fine serving by Eva Sanchez helped VHS stay close in the first set, but Valley captured game one 25-16.

In game two, Valencia built an 18-13 lead, but couldn’t hang on, falling 25-19. Despite several big hits by Jaiden Montgomery, Valley closed out the match in game three, 25-13.

“They had good offense. We struggled a little bit,” said Sanchez, the senior setter.

Overall, the tournament experience “was great,” according to Sisneros, in her first year as VHS coach. “This is what teams work for, the big show.We’ll be back.”

“It’s been amazing,” Sanchez added. “I’ll carry it with me forever.”

The Jaguars will need to replace seniors Sanchez, Adrianna Vallejos, Abigal Landry and Brooklynn Wagner.