Final Battle of Powers
Stars shine as Loboes sweep Dawgs
     By Chris Gove, Staff Writer -- Odessa American, August 20, 2006

MONAHANS Volleyball teams primarily strive to improve through tournament play, though it was fairly evident Saturday that Monahans and Midland High already have a pretty good foundation. That’s not surprising since both programs are perennial powers — Monahans on a statewide level in Class 3A and Midland High in District 3-5A.

But the level of play still was notable for a first-week match as the Lady Loboes beat Midland High 25-23, 25-21 in the championship match of the 33rd Annual Monahans Tournament of Stars. The attacks will get quicker for each team, but a number of hitters were involved for each side and the defensive play was impressive.

“Everybody’s putting the ball down and everybody’s coming through for us whenever we need them,” said Monahans senior middle blocker Catherine Cutbirth, who recorded a match-high 10 kills and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. “I thought that maybe it would have to be more of a building transition, but really we’re starting off really strong. I think it’s going to be a really good season.”

Both games were tight, though Midland High had to rally from a three-point deficit midway through Game 1 and a four-point deficit midway through Game 2. The three-time defending District 3-5A champion Lady Dawgs (6-2), who lost a five-game match to Monahans in Midland on Tuesday, have a mostly new cast of players.

Victoria Lucas has two years of varsity experience but has moved to setter this season, while Lindsey Stahl played the last two seasons for Permian before moving and never left the floor in the championship for Midland High. Most of the other Lady Dawgs players have limited varsity experience — if any at all — so their near-miss in the final wasn’t all bad for 13th-year head coach Terri McColloch.

“We’re making mistakes that I don’t think we’re going to be making in another two or three weeks,” McColloch said. “I think we’re ahead of where I thought we would be at this time after losing 11 players (to graduation). I’ve got some good athletes and I’ve got some depth at every position.” Monahans, on the other hand, has four players who have started in two consecutive Class 3A state championship matches — Cutbirth, Bailey Marcum, Bethany Willmon and Dina Ortiz. Marcum was named the tournament’s outstanding hitter and had eight kills in the final, while Willmon had six kills. Junior setter Kaitlin Mitchell, one of the new varsity members, dished out 26 assists.

“Midland High always has a tough team — always — and that’s why I’m glad they come to our tournament,” Monahans head coach Patty Dominguez said. “I think their kids are young and so they’re not used to this type of a situation and we have a little more experience as far as that is concerned. I think if you add that up and the home-court advantage, it makes a big difference.” Monahans also made a difference by limited Midland High’s offensive runs, partly because of its serve-receive effectiveness.

The Lady Loboes scored 16 points on their first attack off serve receive, helping trigger seven three-point runs throughout the match. “I am really pleased with our defensive effort right now,” Dominguez said. “I really think we’re doing a fantastic job keeping the ball up, making good decisions, reading the block and covering defensively.”