Changes aplenty for CHS volleyball

CLOVIS — This past Thursday afternoon, Clovis High’s volleyball coach Ruth Chavez had the opportunity to watch a junior high scrimmage at Rock Staubus Gymnasium, giving her a glimpse into her varsity team’s future.

Actually, her most experienced varsity players haven’t been out of junior high that long.

Only two return from last year’s varsity and they’re both sophomores — middle blocker/back row Mikyla Harkley and setter Kameron Kelley.

Clovis does have quite a few seniors, but they’re all varsity newcomers. Graduation certainly took its toll on Chavez’ roster, but she’s confident that the current group can gel into a quality team, one capable of competing in the newly-formed District 4-5A.

“Yes, I think we’re capable of doing that,” Chavez said. “We have some very athletic kids and our kids work hard. As long as they’re strong fundamentally and get tougher, we’ll compete.”

Thanks to the elimination of Class 6A and reshuffling of the remaining five classifications, Clovis’ new district home will be co-habitated by Carlsbad, Hobbs and Roswell. Getting out of the 6A Albuquerque realm and into 5A will be better in at least one big way.

“The traveling will be a lot easier on us,” Chavez said.

The competition, though, won’t necessarily be easier. “I don’t know a lot about Carlsbad, honestly,” Chavez said, “but I know Roswell and Hobbs are going to be strong ... both very well-coached. So I know they’ll come prepared.

“I know Hobbs has some big girls that can hit the ball well and Roswell is always a solid team. ... They have tradition. I think they’re going to be solid.”

As of this past Thursday, Chavez said she had eight of her 10 varsity spots settled, with the other two to be finalized some time before this Thursday’s season opener at Artesia. The eight spots she did have locked down will be filled by: Harkley and Kelley; seniors Antanishwa Molett (outside hitter), Meghan Emerich (defensive specialist); Brooklyn Hatley (outside hitter), and twin sisters Madi and Alli Flygare (hitters); along with junior Ahna Haskins (hitter).

Even with a new blend of players and a new slate of opponents, Chavez’s philosophy will remain basically the same.

“I think, just as always in my mind, we try to win the serving and passing games, so that has to be more consistent,” she said. “And getting more comfortable around each other, getting in sync.”

The Lady Wildcats, Chavez thinks, are simultaneously a contender and work-in-progress.

“We’re actually a pretty young team,” she said. “Our ultimate goal is that we improve every day and become stronger as a team.”

For Chavez herself, it’s year two at the Clovis helm after 29 spent with Portales’ program — 14 as an assistant to Brenda Stockton before 15 as head coach with four titles and four runnerup finishes. But that doesn’t mean Clovis can’t seem like home.

“I love it,” Chavez said. “I really enjoy working with these kids. I love working at Clovis High School. I’m really happy to be here. I feel blessed to be here. As long as kids work hard, I don’t have any complaints.”