Lady Loboes Sweep Andrews
   By Lee Passmore, Sports Writer ~~ Midland Reporter-Telegram, November 5, 2006

ODESSA -- The Monahans volleyball team opened its postseason Saturday the way a team which has made four straight trips to the Class 3A state tournament would be expected to.

The Lady Loboes didn't have much trouble in their area round playoff match, as they opened the playoffs by sweeping Andrews 25-17, 25-15, 25-15 at Permian High.

Monahans (39-3) will take on Lubbock Cooper on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Seminole in in the regional quarterfinals.

Monahans has built one of the state's strongest volleyball traditions since the turn of the century, as the Lady Loboes have been to the state tournament four consecutive years, including a state championship in 2004.  Coach Patty Dominguez was concerned about how some of her newer players would react in the postseason.

"I thought being the first playoff match for some of these kids I felt we handled it pretty well," Dominguez said.  "We had some leadership from our seniors and that was crucial in today's match."

Catherine Cutbirth led Monahans offensively with 11 kills while the Lady Loboes also got a strong defensive effort.  Bethany Willmon had 11 digs while Jordan Latham had 10.

Monahans showed it was able to knock off some rust after getting a bye in the bi-district round, and Dominguez is hoping that carries over for the next two weeks.

"We've stepped up every day in practice but it's just a matter of carrying it over into the match when it counts," Dominguez said.  "We need to respect each opponent we play and not take anything for granted when we step out on the court."

Monahans Statistics

Kills -- Catherine Cutbirth 11, Kaitlin Mitchell 3, Bethany Willmon 4, Bailey Marcum 8, Jordan Latham 7, Heather Schulz 5. Blocks -- Cutbirth 3, Marcum 4, Schulz 1.

Assists -- Mitchell 31, Schulz 1, Kim Wilson 1. Digs -- Cutbirth 6, Mitchell 6, Willmon 11, Marcum 6, Latham 10, Wilson 2, Dina Ortiz 2, Paige Shaw 2. Aces -- Cutbirth 3.