Clovis starts strong with sweep of Palo Duro

CLOVIS — The Clovis High volleyball team can only hope Tuesday's season opener was a microcosm of its season overall.

The Wildcats started fast against Palo Duro at Rock Staubus Gymnasium, gained separation early, didn't panic when the Lady Dons jumped out to a second-set lead, regained control, and went on to sweep Palo Duro 25-18, 25-23, 25-20.

The Lady Wildcats played with poise, focus and confidence throughout, just how they will have to carry themselves all season.

"I feel great because they played well," said Ruth Chavez, who began her first season as Clovis head coach after spending 29 of them at Portales. "I thought we had a heck of a passing night. ... It felt like we won the passing and serving game, and whenever you can do that, your offense comes around."

"I just think that everything finally came together," said Clovis senior outside hitter Makinzie Johnson, who finished with nine kills. "We've been in the gym working for about two or three months now. We've put in so much to transform the team from what it was, so I think it's paying off."

From the time senior setter Sydni Hill's match-opening serve led to senior outside hitter Kassidy Furrow knocking the ball over for the first point, Clovis seemed to be setting the match's tone.

"That was something we used to struggle with last year," Furrow said after notching a team-high 13 kills. "We'd get down early in the match and wouldn't be able to dig ourselves out of a hole after that. But we did a good job (in Tuesday's match) of staying up."

Furrow's point was followed by a Palo Duro return landing out, and after that, senior Lexi Cole clobbered one over the net to quickly make it 3-0 Clovis.

The Wildcats were only up 5-4 later in the set, but reeled off five straight points to take control, and rolled to a 25-18 victory.

The second set, though, did not begin as smoothly. Palo Duro took its first lead of the night, 5-4, and was soon up 10-5.

"We trained them when they get behind, it doesn't mean it's over," Chavez said. "You continue to fight and you continue to battle back."

Still, Chavez felt they needed a reminder of that, and when facing the five-point deficit, she called a timeout.

"I just told them, 'We're fine, we're confident and we can come back from anything,'" Chavez recalled. "'As long as we're doing the things that we trained to do, then we can come back.'"

And come back the 'Cats did, winning five of the next six points to pull within 11-10. They were down 12-10 before soon drawing into a 12-all tie. An impressive finisher by Furrow gave Clovis a 13-12 edge, but Palo Duro hung in it, partly because of Tamera Davis' play, and the set was eventually tied at 23, before consecutive points from Cole and Johnson finished it off for Clovis.

Though the Wildcats built a 3-0 lead to begin the third set, it was tight for most of the way, even locked in a 19-all tie at one juncture. Another Furrow point gave Clovis the lead, and the Wildcats never trailed again.

Leading 24-20, with match point in front of them, they closed the gate with an emphatic whack by Furrow, slamming an unreturnable shot over for the victory.

"It felt good," Furrow said of her hit. "End it with an exclamation point."

Cole added 11 kills to the Clovis cause, and Hartley had eight.

Kyli Osborn contributed 16 digs, with Cole adding five digs. Mikyla Harkley and Cole had two blocks apiece.

Next up for Clovis is Hobbs on Thursday night at Staubus Gym.

"We have a tough match Thursday night," Chavez said, "so hopefully this will prepare us for it."