Lady Loboes Thump Frenship, Then Drop Monterey
    By Randy Hogan, Staff Writer, The Monahans News, September 12, 2006

Monahans displayed a great deal of determination and tenacity against Lubbock Monterey Saturday, as the #2 ranked Lady Loboes exploded after dropping the first two games of the match, and then exploited the inexperience of the Lady Plainsmen to win the final three sets.

Monterey (14-12) came into the match primed for an upset of the State ranked Lady Loboes, and were just one game away from pulling off the improbable.  MHS won the first two sets 22-25-23-35.

However, Monahans (24-2) fought back and slammed the door on Class 5A Monterey by winning the final three sets 25-19, 25-17, 15-7.

"Monterey's getting stronger," Monahans coach Parry Dominguez said.  "They played real aggressive the first two games.  We made a lot of hitting mistakes and a couple defensive errors.  We came back in the third, fourth, and fifth games to control the match."

The resurgent Lady Plainsmen, under first year coach Mandy Moffitt, have already won two more games than they did the entire 2005 season.

Catherine Cutbirth drew a great deal of attention at the net, and as a result, opened the door for other Lady Loboes to exploit the Monterey defense.

Cutbirth recorded 8 kills, 5 blocks, 15 digs and an ace in the match.

Jordan Latham amassed 22 kills against Monterey, to lead the Lady Loboes offensively.

Latham also contributed an ace and 10 digs to the winning effort.

Bethany Willmon blasted 14 kills, picked up 17 digs and smashed 4 key aces from the service line.

Junior setter Kaitlin Mitchell orchestrated precision passes to the big MHS hitters, accounting for an unbelievable 47 assists in the match.

Bailey Marcum frustrated the Lady Plainsmen by picking up 9 kills, 2 blocks, 13 digs and 3 aces on the day.

Kim Wilson added a kill, 2 blocks, 1 assist against Monterey.

Defensive specialist Dina Ortiz recorded 12 digs and provided an emotional spark in the Lady Lobo rally.

Monahans also played a match with Class 4A Frenship at the Lubbock dual, and once again defeated the Tigers in straight sets 25-15, 25-14, and 29-27.

Former Lady Lobo and now Frenship coach, Jennifer McCully, knew Monahans possessed offensive balance and tenacious defense, as her team faced the Green earlier this season.

But the Tigers committed too many hitting errors, and seemed lethargic throughout the match.

"Completely shut down," said McCully, whose team has lost three in a row after losing only three of its first 21 matches.  "We didn't play our game, and we looked flat the whole time."

Bethany Willmon highlighted the game against Frenship with 16 kills, 5 blocks, 6 digs and 2 aces.

Catherine Cutbirth recorded 8 kills, 5 blocks, 3 digs and an ace in the match and had a team-high no blocks against Frenship and Monterey.

Kaitlin Mitchell has really come into her own as a Lady Lobo setter, recording 33 assists against Frenship.

Mitchell also accounted for 3 blocks, 6 digs, and an ace in the match.

Bailey Marcum had 4 kills, 4 blocks, 7 digs, and an ace against the Tigers, while Jordan Latham accounted for 5 blocks, 14 digs and 2 aces.

Heather Shulz pounded out 2 kills in the match and recorded an assist.

Kim Wilson had an assist and 1 dig, while Dina Ortiz and Paige Shaw each picked up a dig in the match.

Frenship also dropped their match to Monterey 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 Saturday.

The Lady Loboes will travel to Midland Christian to face the Lady Mustangs at 6:30 pm, Tuesday.