Powered by junior Lainee Bradley’s dozen kills, sophomore Alleah Neil’s imposing presence at the net, and the team’s all-around defensive effort, Ignacio remained unbeaten in 2A/1A San Juan Basin League play Tuesday night with an important win over Dolores.
“We lost the first set 16-25,” noted IHS head coach Jennifer Seibel. “Then we won the second 25-17, won the third set 25-16, and won the fourth 25-20. It felt like it was point-for-point, volley, volley, volley …. They were good, tough sets but we got it done. It was just electric; the entire gym was just energized.”
Going into the match just as intensely as in their 25-7, 25-8, 25-16 sweep of Dove Creek three days earlier, and their 25-13, 25-13, 25-13 win on Sept. 18 at Norwood, the Volleycats dealt the resurgent Bears – already well clear of last fall’s win total – their first defeat in 2025.
Ignacio improved to 8-2 overall and 4-0 in the 2A/1A SJBL while Dolores fell to 10-1 overall and 5-1 in the 2A/1A SJBL.
“I would say that in the third and fourth sets, they kind of broke down mentally … and that first set, I had a lot of subs in and we … had no flow,” Seibel said. “Then the next three sets I kept it to a slim seven (player rotation), kept my seven core girls in. I do pretty good with getting subs in, but … today was about getting the win and that’s what we did. Just took over, set the tempo.”
Neil put down six kills, as did junior Maliyah Martinez, and totaled four blocks (two solo). Junior Reggi Gustafson pounded eight kills as junior setter Kelly Sirios racked up 33 assists in the parent/senior appreciation night triumph.
Statistics for Dolores were unavailable at press time, and the Bears will next see action Saturday afternoon at home against Ridgway (1-7 overall, 0-1 2A/1A SJBL).
Ignacio will travel on Saturday to Telluride (6-3 overall, 2-2 2A/1A SJBL).
“We have to bring our A-game,” said Seibel. “They’re a quality team, so I think that match is going to be a real good one for us to just continue to elevate.”
