Lady Loboes Look Strong Going into District 3-3A
    By Randy Hogan ~ Staff Writer - The Monahans News, October 4, 2005

The Monahans Lady Loboes couldn't beat the odds last Tuesday night, dropping a non-district match to Lubbock Trinity Christian in four games 20-25, 16-25, 25-,18, 21-25.

Monahans, (30-3) have beaten the TAPPS 4A defending state champion Lady Lions three times this season, and the odds of beating a quality team a fourth straight time were improbable.

MHS, the defending Class 3A State Champions in 2004, knew it would be no easy task to continue the string of victories against their formidable foe.  For the first time in 2005, the match would be decided in a best of five-game format, rather than the tournament format.

Trinity kept the pressure on the Lady Loboes throughout the night, winning the first two games.

"They came out and attacked us in the first two games.," Coach Patty Dominguez said.  "They were aggressive and did a fantastic job, and we were slow.  We played safe, and they hurt us.  Against a team like Trinity, you have to come out with everything you've got."

MHS fought back, winning game three 25-18.  Allison Miller brought the score to game point with a huge kill, and Brittany Hughes recorded the victory for the Ladies with a kill.

It looked as if the match might in fact go to five games, as the Lady Loboes led 21-20 in game four.  Jessica Legako came up big for the Lady Lions with key kills late in game four to steal the game from Monahans.

For Coach Dominguez the loss had a positive side.  "The biggest thing we learned is that anyone can win at any time," Dominguez said.  "Including against us."

The Lady Loboes continued their road trip with state powerhouse volleyball teams, traveling to Midland Saturday for a match up with the number 13 ranked team in Class 5A, Midland High Lady Bulldogs.

Monahans, (31-3) dug themselves out of an early hole, rallying from a two-game deficit against the Lady Dawgs to win the match 25-27, 22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-13.

Brittany Hughes finished the match with 25 kills, five blocks and 20 digs for the Green.

In the past two weeks Monahans has played 22 games out of a possible 25 in five matches.

Midland High, (24-11), currently leads District 3-5A with a 6-0 record.  The Lady Dawgs lived up to their billing, taking the Ladies to the limit in game one, before winning 27-25.

Game two was much the same, as Midland outraced the Lady Loboes to 25 points with a 25-22 victory.

The Ladies battle back in game three 25-18, and captured game four 25-22, forcing the deciding game five.  Monahans held off Midland High 15-13 in the final, to win a hard fought match.

The victory will go a long way in restoring the Ladies confidence heading into District play.  Monahans travels to Presidio on Tuesday.

Keyed by Chino Arsiaga