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BELEN — The volleyball clash Tuesday between Valencia (11-7, 3-1) and Belen (14-5, 2-2) offered plenty of incentives. It’s a county rivalry, a district battle, with the winner inching closer to a state tournament berth.
They did not disappoint, with VHS taking a hard fought, entertaining match, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23. The Jaguars never trailed in game one behind a strong effort at the net from Eden Montgomery.
In game two, service errors hurt Valencia, while Sithandra Dowdy provided a big kill to help the Eagles close it out.
Jazlyn Gonzales provided a spark for VHS in game three.
A wild game ended the night, highlighted by long points and great digs. After VHS took a 14-5 lead, BHS rallied to go up 23-21, only to see Valencia close the door.
Both coaches got their first taste of the rivalry.
“It was a battle,” said Martha Sisneros, VHS coach. “They stuck to the game plan. I’m just proud of them.”
“These girls never quit,” Belen’s coach Buddy York said. “We missed a lot of serves — really unusual for us.”
The two teams meet again Nov. 7 at Valencia to end the regular season.
Tuesday’s match at BHS was the “Fight Cancer” pink game. A silent auction and bake sale were held for Belen Consolidated Schools employee Chrysta Masterman, who is fighting breast cancer.
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“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate this more than you know,” Masterman said.
Los Lunas
In a battle Tuesday for first place in District 5-5A, fourth ranked Los Lunas (11-6, 4-0) defeated number nine Albuquerque High (11-8, 3-1) 3-2 at LLHS. Thursday, the Tigers host Atrisco Heritage Academy.
