Despite playing several solid games, wins evaded the Montezuma-Cortez High School volleyball team last weekend.
Playing at home against Montrose on Oct. 17, the Panthers took the first two games from their Southwest League leading opponents before losing, 18-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-14, 15-8.
Naomi Pinnecoose led the Panthers with 26 kills and three aces, Rylee Lindsley had 26 digs and Laurel Chappell had 36 assists.
With the loss, M-CHS fell to 12-7 on the season, while Montrose improved to 16-3 on the year.
Looking to rebound against Grand Junction High School on Oct. 18, the Panthers lost for the second consecutive time, falling 25-22, 12-25, 25-17, 25-22.
After pulling ahead 5-1 to begin the first game, the Panthers fell victim to several kills by Grand Junction’s Tie Wright and the Tigers came back to tie things, 16-16. Grand Junction went on to win nine of the next 16 points to win the game.
In the second game, M-CHS jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to three aces by Chappell and three Grand Junction hitting errors. M-CHS extended its lead to 15-7 on a tip by Kristin Pierce before closing out the game with consecutive kills by Pinnecoose.
After behind 5-1 in the third game after an ace by Grand Junction’s Alicia Maslyk, M-CHS never regained momentum, losing 25-17.
In the fourth game, the Panthers took a 6-4 lead thanks to consecutive aces by Abby Chupp, but hitting errors doomed M-CHS as the Panthers eventually lost the game 25-22.
“We just need to keep the ball in the court,” said M-CHS sophomore Danielle McDonald after the match. “When the energy is down, we need to think about the whole team instead of thinking about one person.”
With their record now at 12-8 on the season, M-CHS will prepare for a home matchup against Durango High School on Oct. 21. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game to raise breast cancer awareness.
“We just need to play together and do our own jobs,” said McDonald, discussing the Panthers upcoming matchup against Durango. “We need to be on our toes.”
imaclaren@CortezJournal.com