Demonettes get win with new coach

SFHS 3

L. Alamos 1

The Santa Fe High Demonettes were just happy to get the win. That’s what Santa Fe High got in its season opener Thursday night with the debut of head coach Josie Adams against Los Alamos. Thanks to the steady hitting of Salome Romp, the inspired play in the middle by Ainsley Reynolds-Smith and the serving of Ciara Morgan, the Demonettes won 25-20, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21 in Toby Roybal Memorial Gymnasium.

Santa Fe High used a balanced attack against the Lady Hilltoppers (1-2), as six Demonettes registered a kill and setter Courtney Brookover dished out 57 assists. Romp was her usual dominant self with 19 kills, but she had more than enough help.

Sophomore Laila Bernadino added 19 kills, while Reynolds-Smith was aggressive at the net as she collected nine kills and 11 blocks. She had six blocks in Game 4, and defensive specialist Taliyah Balladares served 10 straight points to turn a 9-8 Los Alamos lead into an 18-9 margin for the home team.

Adams said the play of Reynolds-Smith and Leila Pierpoint was crucial toward Santa Fe High establishing its presence in the middle. “Middle is key,” Adams said. “Ainsley and Leila were big. And we used our rightside [hitter], too. We need to keep pushing the ball to the right and middle.”

The Demonettes’ back row of Tanisha Ortiz, Balladares and Alyssa Sandoval combined for 43 digs.

Santa Fe High hits the road Sept. 4 to Taos. Then the Demonettes take 10 days off before playing host to the Tournament of Champions, Sept. 14-15.