Texico wins 3A crown, Melrose falls

Staff reports

RIO RANCHO — Three years and a classification change later, Texico is back on top. And the Lady Wolverines might stay there a while.

Behind a talented young squad and solid play from its senior group, the Lady Wolverines blasted Navajo Prep 25-12, 25-14, 25-23 to end its first season in Class 3A with the 11th title in school history and seventh in the last nine years.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said junior Brianna Reyna, who led Texico with 20 kills. “A lot of people expected it, but it’s still the best feeling in the world.”

In what was supposed to be a slugfest between two squads that had lost two combined matches entering Saturday, Texico (23-1) took control early behind a relentless power game with junior Audrey Wren setting the table for Reyna and sophomore Jasmine Gannon.

Gannon struck last for Texico, slamming her 18th kill of the match to the left side after a Navajo Prep passing error set up match point.

In a performance that slightly surprised Texico coach Kristen Scanlan, the Lady Wolverines never trailed in the first two games and wrestled away control of a third game it didn’t lead until 17-16.

Melrose falls to Ramah — As championship Saturday began at the Santa Ana Star Center, balance and experience just won out over dominance.

Unbeaten Ramah, playing in its first volleyball title match in school history, rallied to score 32 of the final 41 points and finish its perfect season with a 25-13, 17-25, 21-25, 25-9, 15-8 victory over Melrose and a dominant performance by senior Caley Barnard.

Taea Hill had 10 kills and eight blocks to lead a balanced effort for the Lady Mustangs (23-0), who won the fourth game on a 17-1 run and capitalized on early service errors to lead the fifth set wire-to-wire.

They were the only two elimination games of the year for the Lady Mustangs, who posted sweeps in 21 of their 22 matches entering Saturday.

“I knew they were special last year, when we went to the state tournament,” Ramah coach Deana Larson said of the team’s Class 2A semifinal defeat a season ago. “ I didn’t lose anybody from last year. I knew they were good enough to get to the state tournament, and I knew they were good enough to win a state title.”