Prep roundup: ‘Workmanlike’ Elkettes sweep Raton in volleyball

| The New Mexican

10/11/2008 - 10/12/08

The Elkettes of Pojoaque wore hard hats in their 25-13, 25-11, 25-12 District 2AAA volleyball sweep of Raton in Ben Lujan Gymnasium on Saturday.

"They played pretty consistent," Pojoaque head coach Brian Ainsworth said. "The last two matches were both three games and they had a workmanlike effort."

Janelle Roybal and Dionna Montoya each had 11 kills for the Elkettes.

"And then we pretty much spread it around from there," Ainsworth said.

Marissa Romero had 23 assists to lead Pojoaque.

In other volleyball action:

St. Michael's 3, West Las Vegas 0

Jessica Madrid recorded 19 service points, including 11 in a row, as the Lady Horsemen swept District 2AAA rival West Las Vegas 25-20, 25-11, 25-13.

Aimee Geyer had 12 kills and 10 blocks and Maya Cordova had 10 kills as St. Michael's improved to 11-4 overall, 4-0 in 2AAA.

"It was a very balanced attack overall," St. Michael's head coach Chela Butler said. "It was a good game for us."

Santa Fe Prep 3, Monte del Sol 0

The Blue Griffins were confident from the service line, and it played a big part in a 25-15, 25-17, 25-5 District 4AA win in Prep Gymnasium.

Prep (6-9 overall, 1-1 4AA) had only four service errors, a far cry from the 20 it had in a four-game loss at Mora on Thursday. Marissa Naranjo had five aces in her eight service points, and Ellee Cook had four.

"I think it's about being responsible for your own confidence," Prep head coach Chris Chakeres said. "I think they felt like they had the better team (against the Lady Dragons) and they went out and played confidently. I think they need to realize that no matter who is across the net, they have control over how they play."

Cook led the Blue Griffins seven kills and four blocks.

Desert Academy 3, Victory Christian 1

Fourteen was a good number for Corine Garcia.

That was the total she had in kills, assists and service points each to help lead the Lady Wildcats past the Lady Centurions in a District 2A match in Albuquerque.

Estrella Flores matched Garcia in kills and assists, and she had 15 service points. Six were the result of aces. The pair made up for the absence of starters Sasha Vidishiva and Sydney Marts, who were on college visits.

"This was a huge win," Desert Academy head coach Natalie Passalacqua said. "We had some girls who were in their first start and they had to step up. Then we had some starters who stepped up even more for us."

Desert Academy improved to 8-5 overall and 4-1 in 2A.

BOYS SOCCER

Desert Academy 7, Santa Fe Waldorf 0

If you look for Dana Coffman's name on the Desert Academy stat sheet, you won't find it. Nonetheless, he was instrumental in the shutout of the Wolves in a District 2A-AAA match at the Municipal Recreation Complex.

"He put in an excellent game today," Rob Lochner, Desert Academy head coach, said of his senior sweeper. "I think Waldorf ended up with two shots. He didn't allow anything down the middle. He was basically a wall back there. And considering the
field conditions, that was pretty outstanding."

So, too, was Nathan Sheridan. The sophomore scored two goals for the first time in a varsity uniform.

"He really stepped up and showed some good maturity," Lochner said.

Ram Khalsa added two goals, while Jeremy Upsal, Alex Kokesh and Josh Lochner each scored once for the Wildcats (11-2, 5-2).

Upsal collected a pair of assists. Khalsa, Lochner and Nick Gerber also assisted on goals.

GIRLS SOCCER

Portales 3, Monte del Sol 0

Three reasons why the Lady Dragons of Monte del Sol couldn't keep up or beat the Lady Rams of Portales in a District 2A-AAA match, according to Monte del Sol head coach Justin Najaka:

1. "They wanted it more."

2. "They were first to every ball."

3. "Our first touch was not good."

Perhaps the third point burned the most.

"We just couldn't get anything going," Najaka said. "The first touch has been killing us the last couple of games. But we're working on it."

Jenna Sievers scored two goals — in the 68th and 70th minute — for Portales (5-8 overall, 1-2 2A-AAA) and Kaitlin Garrett added the other.

Jordin Schneider had 10 saves for Monte del Sol (4-10-1, 0-5).

FOOTBALL

Pojoaque 16, West Las Vegas 6

The Elks scored all of their points in the second half as they beat the Dons for the fourth straight year in their District 2AAA opener at Jacona Field.

Pojoaque's defense recorded a safety in the third quarter and touchdown runs from quarterback Michael Garcia and Nate Zamora capped the scoring.

"Our kids played lights out," Elks head coach Quevin Redding said. "We didn't do anything special, just our basic defense and offense, but our kids just showed up and played lights out."

Pojoaque improved to 3-4 overall.