Lady Loboes Humbles Eagles, Move Into Second Half Of District Saturday
    Randy Hogan, Staff Writer- The Monahans News, October 14, 2005

The Monahans Lady Loboes completed the first half of their District 3-3A schedule with a 25-7, 25-8, 25-17 victory over long time rival Pecos Tuesday night.

MHS came out strong, drubbing the Eagles in the first two games.

Viewing the final score of game three is slightly misleading, but the fact remains clear that the Ladies overwhelmed PHS.

"We had some hitting errors that cost us points," Coach Patty Dominguez said.  "They didn't block us, we just made errors that kept them in the game."

Monahans (34-3), remain undefeated in District after the first half, and hold sole possession of first place at 3-0.

Pecos jumped out to a 0-2 lead on the Green in the game one, but MHS roared back with a kill from Brittany Hughes and outstanding serves from Bailey Marcum.

Marcum put the Ladies out front 4-2 with key serves from the line, allowing MHS to exhale and focus on the task at hand.

Bethany Willmon was also exceptional from the line, serving three straight points that included two aces, and the Ladies races out to an 8-3 lead.

"Bethany did a good job with her serve to assignments," Dominguez said.  "She played especially well at the line for us."

Alison Miller and Catherine Cutbirth followed with timely kills to force PHS Coach Debbie Garcia into a timeout, trailing 14-4 in the opening set.

The Eagles would close the gap to 16-7, but Monahans rolled off the final nine point of the game, the last eight points coming off the serve of Cutbirth.  Miller , Marcum and Willmon overpowered the eagles at the net, and MHS claimed a 25-7 victory in game one.

Willmon began the second set just as she finished the first, putting down a kill off a long exchange.  Bianca Baeza tied the game for Pecos at 1-1 off of a block, but the Eagles would never pull close to the Green again in the set.

Monahans blasted their way to an 11-3 lead, with Hughes recording two aces, forcing Pecos into a timeout.

Hughes pounded her first ace in front of the Eagle defensive specialist, who could only turn her head to avoid the impact of the ball.

After the timeout, Hughes continued her dominant serving, pounding a total of eight points in her rotation at the line.  She recorded her third ace of the set, moving the Ladies out front 13-3.

Miller and Hughes continued to dominate the net, and Marcum scored the final point of the game with a dump over the net.  Monahans won game two 25-8.

The final set of the night started with a bang as Hughes belted a Pecos volley in the Eagle side of the court for the early 1-0 lead.  Hughes continued to frustrate Pecos with power hits, moving MHS in front 5-3.

Miller made her entrance into the rotation giving the Ladies additional power at the net.

With Miller in the game, Marcum and Willmon gave Hughes the support she needed to keep PHS off balance, and Cutbirth was left open to pound the ball into the Eagle defenders.

Monahans led 22-11 late in the game, but hitting the errors allowed Pecos to pull close and keep it tight the rest of the way.

"We just made hitting errors and allowed them to get into the game," Dominguez said.  "We need to do a better job and focus."

Monahans won the match with game three's 25-17 victory.

Statistics include:

Kills: Brittany Hughes 20- Candace Swarb 1, Alison Miller 5, Bethany Willmon 4, Catherine Cutbirth 5, Bailey Marcum 2.

Blocks:  Hughes 2, Miller 2, Marcum 5.

Assists:  Swarb 30.

Digs:  Hughes 3 , Swarb 1, Willmon 2, Cutbirth 5, Marcum 3, Dina Ortiz 5.

Aces:  Hughes 6, Willmon 4, Cutbirth 2.

"I didn't need to say too much to my girls to get them ready for Monahans," PHS Coach Debbie Garcia said.  "I just reminded them that they were playing the state champs and to put it all on the court.  I have a lot of respect for Coach Dominguez and her girls, they play intense and well together." 

Pecos lost in 5-game sets to Ft. Stockton and Presidio, before falling to Monahans,

"I hope after tonight we can turn the corner with the second half of district starting," Garcia said.

The Lady Loboes will host Presidio at 2 pm Saturday afternoon.  The game will also serve as Parent Day to recognize all high school volleyball parents.

"Presidio is riding a high right now because of the success," Dominguez said.  "We have to maintain our focus and not underestimate them."

The Lady Devils (18-10), currently trail Monahans in the district standing with a 2-1 record.  Presidio defeated Ft. Stockton Tuesday night 21-25, 25-19 ,25-27, 25-27 and 15-12.

Vanessa Armendariz led the Lady Devils with 8 kills, 9 blocks, and served a perfect 12 for 12 fron the line against the Prowlers.

"It has been the first time we beat Ft. Stockton this season," Presidio coach Senia Armendariz said.  "This time it really counts."

Monahans handed the Lady Devils their only district loss in Presidio, October 4, blasting PHS 25-11, 25-16, 25-13.

"We are confident with the level we are playing," Coach Armendariz said.  "We want to continue to play well, and are pushing to keep our position in the district."

Keyed by Melissa Ramirez, Senior