This is the second of a two-part series previewing the upcoming high school volleyball season. This week, we’re focusing on the race to the top of the standings in District 1-4A.
FARMINGTON – The district race figures to be hot in prep volleyball this upcoming season for the teams in District 1-4A.
The Aztec Tigers, coming off an unbeaten run in district play last year, will be looking to repeat as champions when the season opens on Tuesday, Aug. 29, on the road at Crownpoint.
Led by longtime head coach Anna Strauss, one of the leading coaches in the state’s prep volleyball history, the Tigers rolled off 16 consecutive wins at the end of last season before being eliminated in the Class 4A state tournament by Los Alamos. They were led on the court by Madison Edwards, who finished the season with 78 service aces, leading her to be named to all-state honors.
Senior Nizhoni Yellow and junior Riley Engle each had banner years for the Tigers, combining for more than 520 kills on the season as the Tigers rolled to their first district title since the 2016 season.
Still, Strauss knows the race to earn back-to-back district titles will be tough.
“We’re super excited about the season and will continue to work hard to build on the successes of the program and our student athletes,” Strauss said.
Gallup and Kirtland Central, both of which finished the district season with 7-3 marks, also advanced to the postseason tournament. Gallup was eliminated by Pojoque Valley while Kirtland Central was knocked out of the postseason by Albuquerque Academy.
Both teams, as well as Bloomfield, Miyamura and Shiprock will be vying for a district title that has bounced around through several different schools in the past decade.
While it will be difficult to replace the combination of Yellow and Edwards, who both have moved on since graduation, Strauss will be looking to Engle and Nika McKenzie for veteran leadership this upcoming season.
“Both of them are veteran returning players who have varsity experience,” Strauss said. “They are both leaders and dynamic players who are exciting to watch.”
Kirtland Central will open the volleyball season at home on Thursday, Aug. 24 against Navajo Prep while Gallup will open at home on Saturday, Sept. 2 against Valencia.
For more information about the Aztec High School volleyball team, check out the team’s official page at MaxPreps.com.
