The intensity ratchet ups a few notches as the district season begins for those teams that haven't started yet - specifically District 2AAAA/5AAA/2AAA/2AA volleyball; 2AAAA soccer - and the opening week brings some big events.
Let's start with tonight District 5AAA volleyball begins - Yes, folks, get used to saying 5AAA instead of 2AAA if you haven't already. Tonight Pojoaque Valley, losers of its last three matches against Class AAAAA's No. 3 (Rio Rancho Cleveland) and No. 2 (Rio Rancho) plus AAAA's No. 3 (Artesia) team, play Santa Fe Indian School in a big match right off the bat.
The Elkettes are the No. 1 team in AAA; the Lady Braves are No. 2. But SFIS is hurting badly- it lost hitter Lakeshia Padilla to a knee injury that appears season-ending (that goes for basketball too). SFIS at less than 100 percent isn't a match for battle-tested Pojoaque.
Can the Lady Braves win a game? That might what they hinge their hopes on.
About a mile away - in Perez-Shelley Gymnasium at St. Michael's - the No. 3 Lady Horsemen entertain No. 5 Albuquerque Sandia Prep in another 5AAA opener. The Lady Sundevils have wins over AAAA Moriarty (twice) and Roswell Goddard plus AAAAA Highland (warning here, though: Capital owns a win over the Lady Hornets, too). St. Michael's struggled for a weekend without hitter Alexa Chavez, but the team's most vital offensive piece returned last week. St. Michael's has been tested time and again, which will only bode well in this district. This will be the more exciting match of the two, but give the nod to the hosts.
Thursday
District 2AAAA volleyball
Santa Fe High at Española Valley, 7 p.m.
The skinny: Welcome to District 2AAAA volleyball, Demonettes. They bring one of the best hitters in the North in Shivaughn Hatt, but Española has a bit more depth in the hitting department. While Los Alamos is the favorite in the district, the gap between the rest and the Lady Hilltoppers is not as great. So a good start is essential for both teams.
Nondistrict football
St. Michael's at Albuquerque St. Pius X, 7 p.m.
The skinny: The state's largest Catholic schools battle to see who prays better to the same God. Seriously, This will be another tough game for the Horsemen, as the Sartans are battle tested as well. Don't let a 1-4 mark fool you. St. Pius has played tough in all of its games. Even a 63-28 loss to Aztec was a 42-28 score to start the fourth quarter. St. Michael's comes off an in credible rushing performance as it collected more than 500 yards on the ground. If the offensive line keeps up its dominating push, the Horsemen should be able to run crazy again.
Friday
District 2AA volleyball
Peñasco at Santa Fe Prep, 6:30 p.m.
The skinny: In past years, the Blue Griffins had to concern themselves with getting by Mora in the district. In a newly formed 2AA, add the Panthers to that list. Peñasco comes in with an 11-1 record and a lot of momentum, having won two regular season tournaments in the process. Santa Fe Prep comes in at 8-2 and with one of its stronger teams in years. The winner gains the upper hand in the quest to dethrone the Rangerettes.
Note to Demons fans: Yes, Santa Fe High plays Friday. But it's Taos. In fact, the Demons should be 4-3 heading into the meat of its district schedule in mid October: a finish of Los Alamos, Bernalillo and Capital.
Saturday
District 2AAAA soccer
Capital at Los Alamos, 1 p.m.
Skinny: The Jaguars proved its one of the top teams in AAAA after beating Piedra Vista and Farmington on back-to-back days 10 days ago. But these are the Hilltoppers, the kings of this district. Beat them, and Capital just might be a dark horse for next month's state tournament. If you don't, the pretender tag stays.
Your move, Capital.
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James, that's what I'm talking about, I've been asking for a story like this forever.
ReplyDeleteI need to plan my videotaping, this helps more than you know.