Tigers net All-State volleyball honors

A 17-8 record and a final-four appearance at the 5A State Volleyball Championship helped reap scores of post season honors for Los Lunas. That included four LLHS Tigers named All-State, while the Montgomery sisters at Valencia were recognized in 4A.

The 5A All-State squad, selected by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association, included Los Lunas standouts Lauren Shiplet, defensive specialist; and Mia Mendoza, setter, on the first team.

Second team members for LLHS were Mellody Chavez, outside hitter; and Lynae Hands, middle blocker. All are seniors except Hands, a junior.

It was the third All-State selection for Mendoza, and the second for Shiplet.

In 4A, Jaiden Montgomery and Eden Montgomery, of VHS, were named to the second team. Jaiden, outside hitter, is a junior, while Eden, middle blocker, is a sophomore.

NMHSCA 5A All-State

First team: Lauren Shiplet and Mia Mendoza, LLHS

Second team: Mellody Chavez and Lynae Hands, LLHS

NMHSCA 4A All-State

Second team: Jaiden Montgomery and Eden Montgomery, VHS

All-Metro

There are two all-metro volleyball honor teams encompassing each school in the Albuquerque metro-area, regardless of classification. Los Lunas made an impressive showing in both.

The Marty Saiz volleyball awards were handed out Dec. 15, with Tanya Sanchez named 5A Coach of the Year and Mellody Chavez chosen Metro Senior Student Athlete of the Year. Chavez received a $2,000 scholarship.

In addition, Mendoza, who has signed with New Mexico State University, was chosen for the first team by both Saiz and the Albuquerque Journal.

Saiz also recognized several other Tigers, Belen Eagles and Valencia Jaguars, listed below.

Marty Saiz 5A All-Metro

Coach of the Year: Tanya Sanchez, LLHS

Senior Student Athlete of the Year: Mellody Chavez, LLHS

First team: Mia Mendoza, LLHS

Second team: Mellody Chavez and Lauren Shiplet, LLHS

Third team: Kori Robinson and Lynae Hands, LLHS

All Academic

Mellody Chavez, Mia Mendoza, Lauren Shiplet, Addison Cordova-Wolfe, LLHS

Senior Student-Athletes

Mia Mendoza, LLHS

Marty Saiz 4A All-Metro

Second team: Jaiden Montgomery, VHS

Third team: Monique Chavez and Eden Montgomery, VHS

Third team: MiaElena Tapia and Addison Soiles, BHS

All-Academic

Abigail Landry, Eva Sanchez and Brooklyn Wagner, VHS

Brooke De Leon, BHS

Senior Student-Athletes

Brooklyn Wagner, VHS

5-5A All District

First team: Mia Mendoza, Mellody Chavez, Lauren Shiplet and Kori Robinson, LLHS

Second team: Lynae Hands, LLHS

Honorable mention: Addison Cordova-Wolfe, LLHS

Player of the Year: Mia Mendoza, LLHS

Coach of the Year: Tanya Sanchez, LLHS

5-4A All district

First team: Eden Montgomery, VHS

First team: MiaElena Tapia, BHS

Second team: Brooke De Leon and Mackenzie Soiles, BHS; Monique Chavez and Brooke Romero, VHS

All-Academic

Monique Chavez, VHS

Brooke De Leon, BHS

Red & Green All-Stars

Mia Mendoza, Lauren Shiplet, and Mellody Chavez, LLHS; MiaElena Tapia, BHS