Monahans Will Face Canyon for I-3A Title, Return Trip to State
   By John Hasselmeier, OA Correspondent ~~ Odessa American, November 11, 2006

LUBBOCK   There won’t be a third meeting between the Monahans Lady Loboes and the Pecos Lady Eagles this season.

Monahans did advance to its fifth Region I-3A final in a row with a 25-13, 25-16, 25-13 triumph over Gainesville, but Pecos fell short in its bid to join the Lady Loboes as they fell to Canyon 25-17, 25-17, 25-11 on Friday at the Rip Griffin Center.

Monahans (41-3) will face Canyon in the Region I-3A championship match at noon today.  Monahans beat Canyon earlier this season in a tough three-game match in the Seminole Tournament championship.

‘That feels really good,” Monahans head volleyball coach Patty Dominguez said.  “We had a lot to overcome this year.”

“I wanted to still be playing at this point,” Pecos head volleyball coach Helen Kimbrough said.  “Canyon was just so tall and their big girls gave us problems.”

Coach Patty Dominguez credited setter Kaitlin Mitchell with the victory.

“Our setter is doing a fantastic job,” Dominguez said.  “She’s come a long way.”

Even though the match took a short amount of time, Dominguez said some work did need to be done before today’s final.

“I think we have a little bit of a communication problem going on,” Dominguez said.  “We’re going to have to work on that before (today against Canyon).”

Despite the communication problems, Monahans still had a quality hitting day.  Catherine Cutbirth led the way with eight kills, two blocks and two assists.

Bailey Marcum was right behind her with eight kills, two blocks and an ace.  Bethany Willmon had six kills.

“We’re hitting the ball pretty well right now,” Dominguez said.  “The first match at the regional tournament is always a little bit uneasy.”

As for Gainesville, Jordan Phyffer led all hitters with nine kills.  Leah Sanchez had five kills, one block, one dink and one ace.

One problem Pecos had was with serve receive as Canyon served up 16 aces.

Canyon also had five players with at least five kills.  Dana Stephenson led the way with 12 while Cherilyn McMenamy had 10, along with eight aces.

As for Pecos, Jasmine Rayos led the way with eight kills.  Gabriella Garcia had four kills.

Kimbrough, who completed her first year at Pecos, had accepted the position just a few days before practice this year.

“I saw them this summer and I knew they worked hard and had some talent,” Kimbrough said.

“Even if they hadn’t, I’d have still taken the job, anyway."