Lady Rattlers lose in five to Lady Red Devils

Lack of execution on the serve and a lack of aggression led to a five-set match Tucumcari loss Tuesday night to Springer.

Neither coach seemed happy with his team’s play.

“We did not play within out system and it showed,” Lady Red Devils coach Miguel Vasquez said.

“The girls were not being aggressive and attacking the ball,” Lady Rattlers head coach Tony Alacron said.

The Lady Red Devils (7-0) won the fifth 15-13, and celebrated their win with post-victory pushups.

“We were not executing tonight,” Vasquez said. “We are coming off of a long weekend. This was the first time the girls touched a volleyball since the break.”

It was a bitter defeat for the Lady Rattlers (4-2).

“We beat ourselves out there,” senior Laura Fought said. “We practice serves everyday. Coach works with us constantly on that. We just did not take it seriously.”

Fought said the team will concentrate on executing the serve and being more aggressive hitting the ball.

“We were passing it back to them instead of going for the kill,” Alacron said. “The game would have been over a lot sooner if they had just went for the hit. Don’t get me wrong, they played a good game. It was a hard-fought battle.”

The teams split the first four matches 25-23 (Rattlers) 25-16 (Springer) 25-23 (Rattlers) and 25-19 (Springer).

In each match, Lady Rattlers seniors Brittany Kam, Elizabeth Smith and junior Michelle Fazekas had kills. Senior Carla Chavez had several aces and serves that led to points.

Digs and sets from seniors Fought, Lori Harman and Torri Carmichael kept the ball in play several times and kept the Lady Rattlers in the game.

“We are getting better, it is just a matter of time,” Alacron said.

Also in action

The Grady Lady Bronchos (10-0) defeated the Clayton Lady Yellowjackets in three sets.

“It was a good game we had several ladies step up,” said Lady Bronchos head coach Jaree Elliott.

Senior Mandy Rush had six aces, seven kills, 18 assists and two digs for the Lady Bronchos.