THE BEARS ARE LOOKING to make another run at the Class AA State Volleyball Tournament come this November. Dolores made an appearance two years ago and could have talent this year to go back, if everything falls into place. The Bears had a rebuilding season a year ago and now the foundation and walls are up, now comes the top and that could come this season with their veteran team.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Two years ago when coach Joye McHenry was asked if her team had any weaknesses, she replied "none." That team went on to compete at the Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament in Denver.

When asked the same question this year, McHenry replied, "none." And she fully expects her Dolores High School varsity team this year to advance to State.

"They need a little pressure put on them," she remarked. "I think we will have an excellent team. Right now, we really don’t have any weaknesses. This may be the best team I will have put on the floor. Right now they are the best I’ve coached."

Much of her confidence is based not on last year, a so-so season with a bunch of young, inexperienced players, but on this summer’s work at camps and tournaments, and of the personnel returning for the 2001 season.

"We went to a tournament camp in Durango (at Fort Lewis College) and we showed real well there. We went to Mesa State College Field Camp in Grand Junction and we won a lot of awards there including winning tournament MVP and four girls made the All-Tournament Team. We worked hard all summer."

The Bears lost to only two seniors to graduation. Returning starters include Kristen Gustafson, Amanda Cross, Ashley Smith, Joni Everett and Tracy Everett. Sarah Nielson is expected to be an outside hitter and should be strong on offense. Cross and Smith will also play at an outside spot. Gustafson is the primary setter and Tracy Everett the secondary. She will also be a strong outside hitter as well. Nielson, Amanda Cross, Smith, Gloria Spada, and Gustafson are seniors. The Everett twins are junior as are Jennifer Cross and Ann Fecteau.

The Bears should be quick and agile, especially on defense. They should cover the floor well.

One thing about this year’s team over last year is that they are taller. McHenry could put one girl who stands at 6-foot, one at 5-11, and 5-9 and the rest average around 5-7.

McHenry is very pleased with this fall’s schedule.

"I’m very happy with it and it should be a good one for us," she added. "We’re looking forward to playing in the Farmington’s Lady Scorpion Invitational Sept. 7-8 at FHS. This tournament always has a great field with some great teams. We’ll be one of the smaller schools, if not the smallest, there. The competition will be there."

After a scrimmage with Ignacio, not Kirtland as origianally scheduled, this Saturday, Aug. 25, they open the season at Monticello, Utah, Sept. 4. The Buckeroos have excellent girls’ athletics and always play a good game. San Juan Basin League play begins by hosting Dolores County Sept. 11 and visiting Norwood Sept. 15. They host Mancos Sept. 18 and visit Nucla Sept. 21. A non-conference date at home against AAA Bayfield will be Sept. 25. They return to league play by hosting Telluride Sept. 29.

The month of October is the busiest. The Bears go Dove Creek on Oct. 2 and pay a return visit to Bayfield on Oct. 4. They host Norwood Oct. 6 and visit Mancos Oct. 9. They host Nucla OCt. 13 and then play their final non-conference game at Piedra Vista in Farmington on Oct. 16. The Bears go to Telluride Oct. 20, the final regular-season match.

If needed, a District III Pigtail Volleyball game will be Oct. 24. The District III Volleyball Tournament is at Telluride this year on Oct. 27. Regionals, slated for Grand Junction or Palisade, on Nov. 3. The Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament is Nov. 9-10 in Denver.

Look for the Bears to be right at the top, if not the top, when the post-season begins. Dolores should be a high seed at Districts. There is definite reason for optimism with a host of solid players returning. A trip back to State? If the Bears can make it to Regionals, which volleyball is slightly down this year, it it a definite possibility they could win there and go to State.