Dolores varsity volleyball opens SJBL

Dolores varsity volleyball opens SJBL

Sept 15, 2001

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE DOLORES COUNTY varsity volleyball team members prepare to receive the ball during action Wednesday night, Sept. 12, at DHS Gym. The match was postponed a day in remembrance of those killed by a terrorist attack in New York City and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Dolores won the match 15-4, 15-2 over the Bulldogs in the first San Juan Basin League contest of the season. Waiting for the ball were (left to right): Erin Fury (6), Prentael Coker (4), Melinda Fury (2), and Tia Wood (3).

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

It was just the beginning Dolores High School varsity volleyball team was looking for when it opened up the Class AA San Juan Basin League play Wednesday, Sept. 12, against Dolores County in DHS Gym. The Bears, who had a rebuilding season a year ago, rolled over the Bulldogs 15-4, 15-2 in match which was postponed a day out of respect because of the tragedy in New York City and Washington, D.C.

In the first game, Dolores started off with five straight points behind the serving of Tracy Everett. Amanda Cross made a kill during that run, but the Bulldogs made unforced errors including carrying the ball, running into the net, and making bad passes. Dolores County scored a couple points with Erin Fury serving. The teams traded several sideouts before the Bears scored three more points, off more DCHS miscues. New DCHS head coach Sarah Glover called time-out with DHS up 8-2.

The time didn’t help too much as the Bears scored two more points with a pair of aces from Jennifer Cross. A kill by Sarah Nielson gave Dolores a commanding 11-2 lead. DCHS finally scored a couple more points with Charlene Atkins serving and a kill by Erin Ivie. With Everett serving up two aces and couple with two miscues by DCHS, the Bears put the game away 15-4.

Dolores jumped out to a 2-0 advantage and then came back with four more points to lead 6-0 at which time Glover called time. Cross made a kill and nice tip during that stretch. The teams traded points and then DHS went to work with Nielson serving. She made an ace and caused a lot of serve-receive errors by the Bulldogs. Dolores went up 13-1. Tia Wood served for a point for DCHS but then it was all Dolores the rest of the game. Ann Fecteau scored the final two points.

"It was hard to get into any kind of rhythm tonight," DHS head coach Joye McHenry said immediately following the match. "I think ether way we would have won. We did some things right and we made a few mistakes. But this one match down and nine more to go."

Dolores visits Norwood at 10 a.m. today, Sept. 15, for another league encounter. Dolores County hosts Telluride at 10 a.m. in Bulldog Memorial Gym. Mancos, coming off a first-time ever win in its own Lady Jay Invitational last weekend, opens SJBL play by traveling to Nucla for a match also beginning at 10 a.m.

Montezuma-Cortez High School, fresh off a first-place finish at the Eaglecrest Tournament in Aurora last week, opened Southwest League play at Montrose Friday night and will play at Central of Grand Junction at noon today.

"I’m looking forward to league play," MCHS head coach Lindy Mortensen remarked. "I think the girls are ready and anxious to get started. There are some good teams in our league this year. Everyone seems to be improved or they didn’t lose many from a year ago."