Lady Cats ousted in double OT

CLOVIS - Seeking the program's first postseason win in at least 12 years, Clovis High's soccer girls just couldn't find the net on Tuesday night.

La Cueva sophomore Makayla Chavez was able to knock in a loose ball 7 1/2 minutes into the second overtime, and the Bears claimed a 1-0 victory over the Lady Wildcats at Leon Williams Stadium.

Seeded eighth, CHS (16-5) managed to keep the ninth-seeded Bears (15-6) at bay until the 98th minute. Had the match remained scoreless through the period, the winner would have been determined by penalty kicks.

"It was a good game," Lady Cats coach Ray Rodriguez said. "It was entertaining for the fans. We just could not connect passes."

La Cueva advanced to a quarterfinal match on Friday at top-seeded Rio Rancho Cleveland, and played the Storm tough in a 2-1, double-overtime loss.

For the match, the Bears outshot Clovis 12-3. Junior goalkeeper Aja Gonzales stopped 11 shots, but the 11th one trickled way from her and Chavez was there to convert.

The Lady Cats, who set a program record for wins in 2022, were making their seventh appearance in the 5A playoffs in nine seasons. Except for a 4-1 loss to Volcano Vista last season, they haven't given up more than two goals in any of those matches, but dropped all the other ones either 1-0 or 2-0, including a double-overtime setback to Eldorado in 2018.

CHS spikers drop pair on road - Hobbs took command of the District 4-5A volleyball race on Thursday night, posting a 25-20, 25-20, 25-16 victory over CHS at Hobbs.

Carlsbad (9-12, 3-2 district) fell from a share of the top spot on Thursday night with a 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 loss to Roswell High. The Lady Eagles (13-9, 4-1), who swept the Cavegirls at home on Oct. 18, need only to avoid a sweep at Carlsbad in Tuesday's finale or have Roswell High (11-11, 2-3) beat Clovis in Tuesday's matchup at Rock Staubus Gym to clinch the title.

Clovis (10-12, 1-3), which beat Hobbs in four sets earlier at The Rock, fell behind the Lady Eagles early in Thursday's opening stanza but rallied to tie twice, the latter at 20-20, before Hobbs scored the final five points. The Lady Cats then held an early lead in Game 2.

"(Hobbs senior) Wisdom Anthony got on a nice service run (late in the set)," CHS coach Darrel Ray said. "In the third set, we didn't pressure enough. They kept the momentum and finished us off."

Junior middle hitter Kailyn Jefferson posted seven kills for the Lady Cats, while Zoe Linn had a pair of blocks. Junior outside hitter/setter Erin Creasy finished with 11 assists.

On Tuesday, the Lady Cats weren't able to hang with Carlsbad, which pulled away in each of the three sets.

Junior outside hitter Aeryanne Conn notched team highs of six kills and 12 digs for Clovis. Senior setter Ella Howalt had 10 assists.