By Jim Thomas

FARMINGTON, N.M. -- Although Dolores coach Joye McHenry said her team played lethargically at times Tuesday night, Oct. 19, the Bears still took an impressive 15-10, 15-7, 15-9 nonconference varsity volleyball win over Piedra Vista in Jerry Conner Gym.

"I had to chew on them and they finally picked it up in the second game," McHenry said following the match. "It was a very lackluster performance. We have an exciting team to watch but they weren’t very exciting tonight. I know they can play much better. We weren’t the shining Bears tonight."

In the first game, Dolores trailed early to the Panthers 0-3 after making several mistakes. Brianna Hanson got the team going with a couple points serving coupled with an impressive kill by April LeBlanc. Later, with LeBlanc at the line, the Bears reeled off three consecutive points to go up 6-4. Shelly Rhodes served for three more points and Dolores was up 9-4. The Panthers pulled to within a point at 9-8 and again at 11-10. But Ruthie Martin served for the final four points for the win. During that stretch she had an ace and LeBlanc a kill.

Dolores led 3-0 and 4-2 early in the second game. Piedra Vista tied the score at 4-4 following two straight aces by Tina Joyner. The Panthers held a short 5-7 lead. Dolores added a point and then following a couple sideouts, Hanson served for eight straight points for a commanding 14-7 lead. During that span, Rhodes made two nice tips and LeBlanc two kills. Lindy Fredrick dinked the ball over for the final win. During the game Dolores worked the ball well while Piedra Vista freeballed.

The Bears took a 5-0 in the third and deciding game (they played best-of-five in New Mexico instead of only two-of-three in Colorado). Leading 7-2, Martin served for three points with the help of two kills and a block by LeBlanc. Piedra Vista controlled the action for a stretch and pulled within four at 10-6. The Bears soon were up 14-9. Hanson made a kill for the game and match win.

Mancos High School’s varsity volleyball team has been playing well lately. They are coming off a 15-10, 15-9 win over Telluride on Oct. 16.

"We looked like we had been on a bus too long," Mancos coach Bill Tourjee said. "We only played well enough to win. We were lethargic both games. We didn’t do anything outstanding although we were never in trouble in either game."

Tourjee cited the play of Melissa Keller, Katie Paxton, and Desirea Bazile.

In the first game between Dolores and Mancos, the Bears scored nine straight points during one stretch. In the second game it was an even battle until they became tied at 8-8 when the Bears finally went ahead for good.

Dolores clinched the regular-season San Juan League title back on Oct. 12 with a 15-10, 15-17, 15-12 win over Mancos in the Mancos Performance Center.

The Bears defeated Nucla 15-1, 15-9 on Oct. 16. During the match Martin recorded four aces at the service line. She also finished the contest with seven kills. Rhodes finished by scoring nine points at the line. She finished the game with 21 assists. April LeBlanc scored seven points and had eight kills.

Dolores County fell to Norwood 6-15, 4-15 on Oct. 16.

"Basically, we didn’t do very well," Dolores County coach Melissa Wilson commented. "We weren’t moving our feet and not concentrating."

Krystal Neeley and Jennifer Buffington had good games for the Bulldogs. Norwood jumped out to a 9-0 lead and then coasted from there.

In the second game, the Bulldogs served the ball well but "our hitting killed us. Norwood was not being aggressive and we did not take advantage of that." The score was close through the early portion of the game. Trailing just 4-6, Norwood went on a five-point run and the game was basically over at that point.

The Bears visit Telluride for their final regular season match at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. The Blue Jays visit Dove Creek at 6 p.m. Friday and then host Norwood at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. After hosting Mancos, they host Nucla at 10 a.m. Saturday.