DOLORES – With their school colors providing a fitting backdrop, the Dolores and Mancos high school volleyball teams made sure their day-after 9/11 meeting on the court served more than just a San Juan Basin League battle.
With Bears head coach Gina Hollen leading the way, fans were encouraged to sport their patriotic colors in remembrance of the 23rd anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. With the energy of a loud crowd stoking the atmosphere, the dozen players on the court provided the fireworks.
Dolores (2-6, 1-1 2A/1A SJBL) started the night on the front foot, pushing the visiting Jays to the limit through the opening set before Mancos stormed back to secure a 27-25, 25-9, 25-8 sweep of the Bears.
The Bluejays trailed 12-10 midway through the first set, then tied the set at 18. However, Dolores sophomores Kendall Chavez and Akaia Edwards provided kills to put the Bears in front 24-19 and on the brink of winning their first set against Mancos since 2021.
Mancos responded with the composure of a defending league champ – the Jays rattled off eight of the next nine points to steal the set and seize the momentum in the match.
“We’d had some sets like that earlier this season,” said Mancos head coach Brianna Wyatt, “and we told the girls during a timeout that ‘You know you have it in you’ to come back.”
Bluejays sophomore Bailey Beh joined junior Destiny Kramer, freshman Tinsley Aspromante and sophomore Aubree Wyatt as part of an aerial attack that – once it got going – proved nearly impossible to stop.
Working off assists from junior setter Alexis Lyons, Mancos (8-3, 4-0 2A/1A SJBL) cruised to an 8-2 lead early in the second set, and established dominance at the net that the Bears wouldn’t threaten again.
“It’s a testament to how much potential this team possesses,” added Wyatt. “They just know they have to believe in themselves.”
Meanwhile, points that had been dropping for the Bears in the opening set somehow stayed aloft thanks to the busy back line play of Brooke Jabour, while junior Caylee Moore continued to showcase her versatility as a full-rotation player in Wyatt’s system.
“They started to play Jays volleyball, and they were determined that was the way they were going to play for the rest of the match – better defense, talking more, hitting their serves – and it all led to them having more fun,” summed up the Bluejays head coach.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the net, Dolores showcased just how dangerous they could be when playing with intensity.
“Dolores came out in that first set and played hard – they have strong hitters and good blockers,” said Wyatt, “so we know that we have be ready on every night in this league.”
Mancos stays atop the SJBL standings with their perfect league mark, and turn their focus to a clash with their other county rival Montezuma-Cortez High School on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Dolores, meanwhile, travels to Ouray on Sept. 14 before facing Dove Creek at home on Sept. 17.
