Elida, Floyd, Dora battle in new volleyball district

While one Roosevelt County small school is vying for a ninth-straight 1A state volleyball title-game appearance, two others are looking to trend upwards.

Together, Elida, Floyd and Dora will all battle it out in a newly-formed district.

District 4-1A now consists of Floyd, Elida, Dora, Tatum, Lake Arthur and Gateway Christian. Last year, Dora, Tatum and Gateway Christian were in 2A, with the Coyotes in District 6 and the others in District 4.

Lake Arthur was a 1A team that played in District 3, while Elida and Floyd were in the old variation of District 4. Last year, District 4 featured Melrose, Grady, San Jon and Clovis Christian.

While Floyd coach Dawn Kuchta returns all of her players from last year’s 11-11 squad, the uncertainty of this new district does have her concerned. “It’s the unknown,” she said. “I’m kinda nervous about (this district). All of the districts have changed, and I don’t know much about Tatum, Lake Arthur or Gateway Christian. But, I have faith in the girls, and they worked hard in the summer.”

Five core players lead the way, including seniors Ryan Wallace and Elizabeth Chavez, plus a trio of juniors including Adalee Alvarez, Cree Barber and Anahi Chavez.

The older Chavez will play the middle, while the younger Chavez will be the setter. Wallace will be the strongside left hitter, while Alvarez will be the libero. Barber, meanwhile, has become excellent at blocking.

For Dora, in addition to dropping to 1A, there is a new head coach in Taylor Dillard. Dillard used to coach girls junior high basketball, before she took on this job. She inherits a team that went 9-12 last year, and has 27 players on its varsity and junior varsity rosters combined.

Her best player, Randi Crandall, is a 5-foot-9 junior. “Randi’s had a lot of big blocks and hits in the middle,” Dillard said.

As for the district, Dillard feels that it will be a good one. Nonetheless, regardless of opponent, Dillard says her squad needs to grow quite a bit for this program to really take off. “We just really need to improve our skill level and playing well together,” Dillard explained.

While Floyd and Dora look to ascend, Elida has already been at the top of the mountain, numerous times.

The Tigers had won seven-straight 1A titles, and made it to an eighth-straight title game last year, before being downed by rival Melrose. This year, Elida will replace the likes of Lacy Ferguson, Kasyn Creighton and Thanya Banda.

However, seniors Sadei Chenault and Madison Ferguson, junior Cambree Bargas and sophomores Maislyn Ferguson and Alyssa Bargas return. As of press time, coach Darrell Chenault was not available for comment.

Dora will start its 2018 campaign hosting defending 1A champion Melrose on Aug. 30. Floyd also begins on the 30th, as the Broncos will participate in the Logan Tournament, in which they’ll also play on Sept. 1. Elida, meanwhile, will play at the Eunice Tournament Aug. 31-Sept. 1.