MV netters sweep Holbrook

KAYENTA – Longtime Monument Valley volleyball coach Rennell Gilmore reworked her starting lineup on Saturday afternoon.

With some key players out, Gilmore used her strong bench to sweep past Holbrook in a freedom game at Monument Valley High School. The set scores were 25-19, 25-17 and 25-17.

“The biggest challenge that we have is injuries,” Gilmore said. “We’ve been dealing with it for a majority of the season. At this point, I’m more concerned of getting everybody healthy. That way we’re ready for postseason.”

The Mustangs were missing two starters: senior middle hitter Juliet Mitchell and junior middle hitter Tehya Yazzie.

Senior reserve Aubrey Sheppard was also out, nursing an injury.

“She’s like our seventh man, coming off the bench,” Gilmore said of Sheppard.

“We decided to rest them because we have three region games (this) week,” the MV coach said.

Behind a pair of aces from senior setter Kaleigh Manygoats, the Mustangs build a 12-7 cushion in the opening set.

Holbrook, however, pulled within 12-11 following a 4-0 run, which included a kill from Angelica Uranga.

Uranga, who led the Roadrunner with a team-best 10 kills, added a dink as Holbrook stayed within striking distance at 17-14.

Nonetheless, the Mustangs were the first team to reach the 20-point plateau following a ball-handling error by Holbrook.

MV capped the set with kills from freshman Blu Peterman and sophomore Peyton Begay.

In the next set, the Mustangs used a 10-3 run to open a 20-12 cushion with sophomore outside hitter Tahnee Yazzie putting down four of her game-best 12 kills.

Yazzie helped the Mustangs to a 21-14 advantage in the third set with four kills and two aces. The Mustangs then leaned on its younger talent to complete the sweep as sophomore Peyton Begay, freshman Cale Stanley, and Peterman put down winners.

“We had other players step up,” Gilmore said. “I always tell them that the rotation we have is never set in stone. Anything can happen, from grades to injuries and family matters.

“The rotation is always changing, and they know they need to be ready when they’re called upon,” she added. “They knew we had people out due to injuries who needed rest, so they stepped in, and they got the job done.”

As a team, the Mustangs tallied 30 kills and 11 aces. Yazzie led the team with her dozen winners while Peterman added six kills.

For Holbrook, Uranga had 10 of the Roadrunners’ 17 kills. Outside hitter Tamryn Baldonado added three and sophomore middle Ninti Pittman finished with two kills and three stuff blocks.

Holbrook coach Aaren LaRose left MVHS pleased as the Roadrunners kept some rallies going.

“A lot of teams that we’ve played have commented on us that we’re a scrappy volleyball team,” LaRose said. “That’s the greatest thing about these girls. It’s awesome that they play until the final whistle is blown.

“They don’t give up,” she added. “They keep fighting for every point. I’m just so proud of my girls, they were going for ball that normally would drop on a daily basis.”

With six seniors on the squad, LaRose expects another rebuilding year as Holbrook dropped to 2-12 overall following Tuesday’ three-set loss to 3A East Region rival Winslow.

“I rotate a lot of my players in,” the Holbrook coach said. “A lot of my underclassmen stay in longer than my seniors do, so we’re very young.”

LaRose was especially pleased with Pittman, the 5-10 middle hitter, who started playing volleyball competitively as a freshman last year.

“She’s kind of stepping into a bigger role,” LaRose said of Pittman. “She’s learning a lot about how to play at the net.”

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