Lady Cats look to still be a force

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Clovis High volleyball coach Gabe Apodaca has a relatively inexperienced team this season after the Lady Wildcats lost nine players to graduation.

link Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Clovis senior Dakota Grummer tosses the ball for a jump serve during the third game of a scrimmage against Portales Saturday at Rock Staubus Gymnasium. Grummer is one of three seniors with varsity experience for Clovis, which hosts Amarillo Palo Duro Tuesday.

The Lady Cats, who open at home on Tuesday against Amarillo Palo Duro, still hope to be a force in the new Class 6A.

Heading into the opener, Apodaca said four of the six starting positions are all but set. He’s looking for a libero and a strong-side hitter.

“We’ve just kind of moved up a lot of (junior varsity) kids,” said Apodaca, entering his fifth season as head coach. “I believe in giving those kids the first opportunity (to step in).”

CHS (15-8, 4-0 District 4-5A last season) returns two solid senior outside hitters in Danni Williams and Shaylee Warner, and one of its setters from last season in senior Dakota Grummer. The roster includes nine seniors, two juniors and a freshman, 5-foot-8 outside hitter Makinzie Johnson.

Apodaca believes Johnson will be a starter and provide an instant boost.

“I’m really excited about Makinzie Johnson,” he said. “She played a little varsity with us during the summer, and she shows no fear.

“I think she’s going to step into a role as an outside hitter to help alleviate some of the pressure on Shaylee and Danni.”

Senior middle hitter Mariah Garrison has impressed during the summer season, Apodaca said.

“She’s moving from an outside position to a middle position,” he said. “She’s really stepped up this summer.”

The Lady Cats lost a quality libero to graduation in Andrea Aguilar. Seniors Rylie Lee and Breanna Smith are among the candidates to replace her.

link Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Clovis coach Gabe Apodaca watches the action unfold during a scrimmage against Portales Saturday at Rock Staubus Gymnasium.

Lee said it’s not a big transition coming up from the JV because most of the seniors played together three years ago as freshmen.

“We played together in ninth grade, and that was a fun year,” she said. “I think we’re all pretty excited to get back together.”

She said the new players got a taste of varsity life playing during the summer.

“In practice you try to get used to the whole (varsity) thing,” she said. “I think we’re getting better at it.”

Alamogordo joins what is now District 6-4A, becoming the fourth member of the circuit. Apodaca, who has coached the Lady Cats to four consecutive district tournament titles and three of four regular-season crowns, said Clovis hasn’t played the Lady Tigers in at least five years.

“From what I’ve heard, they’re not that big, but they play pretty good defense,” he said. “That’s always (enough) to put pressure on the other team.”

CHS SCHEDULE

August

26 — Amarillo Palo Duro, 6:15 p.m.

September

2 — at Roswell Goddard, 6:45 p.m.; 9 — at Portales, 7 p.m.; 12-13 — Zia Classic at Roswell; 16 — at Amarillo Tascosa, 6:15 p.m.; 18 — at Roswell High, 6:45 p.m.; 26-27 — at Rio Rancho tournament.

October

3-4 — at Portales tournament; 7 — Hobbs, 6:45 p.m.-x; 9 — Roswell High, 6:45 p.m.; 11 — at Alamogordo, 2 p.m.-x; 14 — Carlsbad, 6 p.m.-x; 21 — at Hobbs, 6 p.m.-x; 23 — Portales, 6:45 p.m.; 25 — Alamogordo, 2 p.m.-x; 30 — at Carlsbad, 6 p.m.-x.

All times Mountain. x-Denotes District 4-6A matches.