Volleyball: A Thousand Points of Pink Light in Ben Lujan Gymnasium
Over 1,000 fans, many wearing pink to symbolize the fight against cancer, attended the Pojoaque Valley-St. Michael’s volleyball game Thursday night in Ben Lujan Gymnasium.
“Dig Pink” was a financial success-it raised approximately $5,000, which will be donated to The University of New Mexico Cancer Center and the Espanola Cancer Fund-and, as usual, the Elkettes (18-1, 9-0) were successful, too.
Pojoaque cruised through the first two games, 25-17 and 25-14 before the Lady Horsemen (10-9, 4-5) put up more than a little resistance in game three-a game that was tied 14 times before the Elkettes, down 21-24 at one point, showed their maturity and outfought St. Michael’s for a 28-26 third game and match win.
It was vintage Pojoaque volleyball of power + defense + passing + discipline/heart.
Power at the net with the quick, leaper Dionna Montoya hammering 15 kills. Kira Trujillo tattooed 12 kills, Tamarra Vigil and Liz Gomez had 7 Ks each, and Lindsey Longacre 3. Gomez dominated the net with seven block kills.
Defense, with multiple rallies that had the crowd oooing and aweing as players dove and tumbled on the court digging shots that looked like sure winners. Miquella Lovato, who is one of the best, if not the best libero in the state, had 14 digs, Kiana Vigil 8, Montoya 7 and Cara Salazar 5.
Passing, with the classic bump, set, kill, was orchestrated by Marissa Romero, who distributed the ball left, rigth and in the middle to finish with 43 assists.
And discipline/heart evident on almost every play. The Elkettes gave up very few easy points. When they were down 21-24 in Game 3, they showed true grit by rallying for a 28-26 win.
Pojoaque wraps up regular season play Saturday against Raton at 6:30 p.m. in Ben Lujan Gymnasium.
