Gallup netters to host district leader KC in key matchup

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Oct 24, 2024 | Volleyball |

WINDOW ROCK – The District 1-4A volleyball race is shaping up to being a two-team battle.

League leader Kirtland Central travels to No. 2 Gallup tonight in what could decide the district title as the Lady Broncos own a 10-7 overall record, which includes a 5-0 mark in district.

Gallup, which comes into today’s showdown with a 4-1 record in district, pushed the Lady Broncos to five sets in their first meeting on Oct. 8.

“Gallup is always tough,” Kirtland Central head volleyball coach Nadia Begay-Watson said. “They’re a scrappy team and they have some good hitters, so we can never let our guard down with them.”

The 11th-year coach extended those sentiments to the other teams in the six-team league, which includes Aztec, Bloomfield, Miyamura and Shiprock.

“Miyamura can be tough and, you know, Shiprock has gotten better,” Begay-Watson said. “Shiprock played us close even though we won in three. The set scores were close, so I feel like everyone in the district has an opportunity to beat us on any given night.”

Nevertheless, the Broncos has not put their guard down as the district season is in its final two weeks.

“I think they’re playing really well right now, which is coming at the right time,” Watson-Begay said of her squad. “They’re hitting well, they’re passing well and they’re playing at a high level.”

Earlier in the year, the Broncos did struggle as the Begay-Watson coached team were 5-7 entering the district season.

“We always get a late start to our season,” she said. “It’s always like that. We have basketball players that come in, and they’re trying to get a feel of playing volleyball.”

Compared to previous seasons, this year’s squad has some ideal height as the Broncos are able to control the net with players like Kaylynn Begay, Kamryn Kee, Bahozhoni Crosby, Kaylyn Cadman and Krista Tsinigine-Yazzie

“We’re pretty tall and that’s an advantage that we have,” Begay-Watson said.

So far this season, Cadman and Tsinigine-Yazzie have been KC’s most prolific hitters. The team also relies heavily on senior libero Makayla Woody and senior setter Damara Cowboy.

“Makayla Woody is doing an awesome job of digging balls for us and not letting it hit the floor on our side of the net,” Watson-Begay said. “And Damara Cowboy definitely plays a big role on how we run our offense. She puts it in the hands of our hitters, and they’re able to put the ball away.”

With the state playoffs fast approaching, Watson-Begay is hoping her club can continue its upward trajectory as the district champion will receive an automatic bid to the 4A playoffs.

Last year, KC didn’t make the playoffs despite a 14-10 record, which included a third-place finish in the district race at 7-3.

“We were on the bubble last year, but our losses really hurt us,” Watson-Begay said. “This year we have to take care of business and win games that we’re supposed to win. We can’t have an off night, so we have to be ready to play every single time.”