After falling to Durango 3-1 at home earlier this season, the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers attempted to spoil the Demons’ senior night on Tuesday in Durango.
But after the Durango seniors were honored before the game, they came out and took the first set 25-12, and it looked to be a quick night for the opposing Panthers.
However, M-CHS fought back in a big way, stealing momentum with a 25-21 second set win behind fantastic play from sophomore Aryelle Wright and junior Tyra Pinnecoose.
“I’m extremely proud of the fight our girls showed,” said Panthers head coach Dave Robinson. “Bayfield and Alamosa are in our league, so we’re used to playing top-quality teams. We knew Durango was good and it would be a tough win to get, but I’m really happy with the effort and attitude.”
The next two sets could have gone either way with Durango taking the third and Cortez squeaking out a back-and-forth fourth. That set the stage for a decisive tiebreaker.
DHS senior Josie Surmeier dominated at the net and led the Demons in blocks and kills. And her presence allowed the Demons to grab an 11-2 lead in the fifth.
Again, the Panthers came back and cut the deficit to 14-9 before Taylor Edwards put the nail in the coffin for Durango to take the match (25-12, 21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-9).
Jardyn Angell of The Journal contributed.