An outlook on how other Northern New Mexico teams stack up this year.
The outlook for Northern New Mexico teams for the 2017 season:
DISTRICT 2-6A
Santa Fe High is progressing its way up the 6A food chain, improving from one district win in 2015 to three last fall. This year’s edition is a senior-laden one, with five on the roster, but it’s a sophomore who is the Demonettes’ best player — outside hitter Salome Romp. If seniors Adonica Baca-Martinez and Victoria Ortega can continue to improve at the net and Ysabella Trujillo provide a steady hand at setter, the Demonettes might make the state tournament.
DISTRICT 2-5A
Last year was a banner year for the district in terms of competitiveness. Ten matches went the full five games in 2-5A play, and the top four teams were separate by just a match. Española Valley and Capital might lead the pack this season. The Lady Sundevils have a solid group of hitters, led by junior Chloe Fell and sophomore Dulce Maldonado, but junior Meranda Romero must fill the capable shoes of Raylynn Quintana at setter. Capital has senior leadership in Sofia Garcia, Ishara Sorensen and Gaby Ornelas, while it also is looking to a new setter in Makayla Baca.
Los Alamos returns a strong back row in senior Alize Garcia and junior Sophia Salazar, but junior middle hitter Elodie Thelliez needs support from a young group of hitters.
DISTRICT 2-4A
A year ago, Las Vegas Robertson, Pojoaque Valley and St. Michael’s duked it out for district bragging rights. This year, the Lady Cardinals might be the primary challenger to two-time state champion Albuquerque Sandia Prep. They return three of their top four hitters (Brandelyn Fulgenzi, Alianza Darley and Jazmyne Jenkins), their setter (sophomore Lauren Fulgenzi) and a strong back row. The Lady Horsemen, now piloted by Valerie Sandoval, have a hole in the middle left by Ellie Breeden. Can junior Mikayla Bohlman and senior Sierra Moya fill it?
The Elkettes return a solid core, led by junior setter/hitter Adrianna Quintana, sophomore middle hitter Ashten Martinez plus defensive specialists Analisa Lovato and Alyssa Rodriguez. Taos transitions from a senior-dominated team that made progress to a young squad relying on the one constant from last year — middle hitter Faith Powell. West Las Vegas is making the jump to its fourth head coach in as many years with Felix Flores, and will build around senior Jenna Bustos.
DISTRICT 5-4A
Dear Santa Fe Indian School head coach Brian Gurule: please stop reading now. With that out of the way, here’s the juicy secret Gurule doesn’t want anyone to know (but everybody up North already does) — the Lady Braves can be really good this year. Junior Marlena Yazzie matured into a top-notch setter, while senior Danielle Jackson and junior Leanna Lewis became much-improved hitters. The key to success is two-fold: can SFIS play consistently well, and can senior outside hitter Sierra Shoals stay on the roster?
DISTRICT 2-3A
Santa Fe Prep came within a whisker of making the state tournament despite an up-and-down year. Can the Blue Griffins display better consistency and regain their spot atop the district standings? Senior leadership will not be lacking with all-everything Samantha Wilson, libero Teslin Ishee and middle hitter Selma Flint. McCurdy is also loaded with seniors in Marissa Sandoval, Serena Barela and Maria DeVargas. Meanwhile, Monte del Sol will battle with grit, defensive tenacity and the hitting of Lizbeth Nava and Talia Flaherty in its quest to make its first state tournament
DISTRICT 3-3A
In response to outing SFIS’ prospects, a certain segment of Northern coaches would like Desert Academy head coach Natalie Passalacqua to know that they think her squad can win it all in 3A. In all seriousness, the Lady Wildcats lost a lot with graduation and sophomore setter Courtney Brookover transferring to Santa Fe High. Senior Hailee Scarborough steps into Brookover’s role (when her broken finger heals), while senior Beatrice Lowe, junior Natalie Nathanson and sophomore Michaela Glinsky provide the firepower to the front row. Pecos looks to make strides behind juniors Faith Flores and Cassie Muller, while Tierra Encantada has its most experienced squad yet, with five seniors looking to earn its first district win as a 3A member.
DISTRICT 5-2A
Mora won its first state title in 30 years, but the Rangerettes would rather not wait that long for another blue trophy. Seniors Danika Hurtado and Jesselle Gold will try to lead the way toward a repeat. Escalante almost ended Mora’s title hopes in the quarterfinals, and they would like nothing more than to end their reign atop the district. Seniors Sarah Hurd and Rikki Rivas are key returning players.
Graduation and the loss of head coach Bobby Howard hit Mesa Vista hard, so much will fall on the shoulders of junior Abrianna Griego. Questa is senior-loaded, and will look to the play of Arianna Spears, Larissa Passino and AnnaMarie Sanchez to get the Lady Wildcats to state. Peñasco could make the biggest strides in the district, as a mostly sophomore group returns.
DISTRICT 1-1A
Could this be the year Santa Fe Waldorf finally gets to the 1A championship match? The Lady Wolves are upperclassmen strong and the team to beat in the district as long as Rose Moon keeps pounding away. Coronado again will provide the challenge, led by senior Alia Vigil. New Mexico School for the Deaf has a trio of juniors in Lindsay Hand and Mya Malone to build around.