Monahans Freshman Edge Out Midland
    by Jessica Ray, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, August 24, 2007

Lady Lobo fans filled the visitor's side of the Midland High School gym on Tuesday night to watch the Lady Lobo volleyball teams take on the Midland Lady Bulldogs. The rickety bleachers held an impressive amount of green, considering Monahans was the visiting team.  All teams made an impressive performance, but only the freshman were able to drive in a win.

The freshmen girls dropped the first time game to Midland, then won the second game to make the match score 1-1.  In game three, Monahans took a quick 4-0 lead, but Midland fought back hard.  Later, the green missed a serve to give the Lady Bulldogs the point and a tie at 13.  A few rallies later, a five-point Monahans run put them ahead 23-19, but another Bulldog battle tied the teams again at 26.  From then on, the teams could not get more than a point away from each other. The two-point lead necessary for a win did not happen, but in the last six rallies of the game, Midland only had the advantage one time.  When Monahans hit the 30-point cap, the win was called and the Lady Loboes were declared the winners, 2-1.

The Junior Varsity Team started off well in game-one, taking a quick 3-0 lead, but Midland hustled to tie the game at three. When the Bulldogs were finally able to grab the lead, they would not let go and eventually won 25-14.  A ten-point run by Midland in game-two helped them to a 17-11 lead, but Monahans stayed alive.  When the JV Bulldogs missed a serve, it put Monahans within three points at 21-24. Game-point was eminent, however, and Midland took the game by four and the match 2-0.

When it came time for the varsity game, the announcer revved up the sound system and the fans with an exposing introduction.  It was a battle from the start for both teams,  who stayed within three or four points throughout in all games, clearly indicating the opponents were well-matched.  Monahans fell in game-one 21-25 and game-three 23-25. A 25-22 win in game-two meant Monahans had to win the remaining games, but a hard-fought game-four gave Midland the 3-1 match win.

This was the first loss of the season for the Varsity, which gives the Ladies a 7-1 record.  The varsity team is scheduled in a San Angelo tournament this weekend after a Thursday night game against San Angelo Central.  The JV and freshmen teams will be at Pecos tournament through Saturday.  

keyed by Laura Hinojos, Junior '07