St. Michael’s starts District 2-4A tournament as the runner-up and on a winning streak after Thursday night’s sweep of visiting West Las Vegas

Lady Horsemen advance to 15-5 overall, with Los Alamos, Robertson, Pecos also victorious

By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today

The St. Michael’s volleyball team will be heading into the District 2-4A tournament on a hot streak.

Thursday night, it advanced to 15-5 overall and 6-2 in district to finish second behind Las Vegas Robertson by sweeping past visiting West Las Vegas. It was the seventh win in the last eight starts for first-year head coach Valerie Sandoval’s team. And it has picked up five 3-0 sweeps in the last six matches.

The scores were 25-11, 25-14 and 25-4. It was the second time the Lady Horsemen had swept the Dons, who dropped to 3-14 overall and 1-7 in district.

For the regular-season, St. Michael’s has been led by freshman Lily Barker’s 158 kills, by junior Mikayla Bohlman’s 89 total blocks, by Sierra Moya’s 25 serving aces, by junior Miquela Martinez’ 318 assists, and by Alyssa Pincheria-Sandoval’s 229 digs and 115 receptions.

The Lady Horsemen’s first match in the district tourney will be as host in the semifinals, with the winner playing at Robertson. The Cardinals are the only team to defeat St. Michael’s in district.

Also Thursday night, Robertson easily disposed of visiting Pojoaque Valley, 25-14, 25-9, 25-7 to improve to 8-0 in district and 18-2 overall. It was the third time it swept past the Elkettes this season, once in a tournament and twice in district.

In 2-5A, Los Alamos won for the first time in district by getting past visiting Espanola Valley, 25-20, 13-25, 25-20, 23-25 and 15-8. The Hilltoppers moved to 5-14 overall and 1-6 in district. The Sundevils have lost five in a row and are 6-11 overall and 2-5 in district.

In a non district match at the GCCC, Pecos won over Monte del Sol on scores of 25-19, 14-25, 25-23, 25-19. The Panthers are now 8-8 overall and the Dragons fell to 8-11.