Down four starting players, the Bayfield High School volleyball team was up against a challenge Thursday night at Farmington.

When the Bayfield Wolverines (5-2) stormed out to a 2-0 match lead with set wins of 25-18 and 25-20, it was the Scorpions (4-6) who were staggered. But Farmington responded with wins of 25-18 and 25-17 to force a decisive fifth set for the seventh time this season.

A determined Bayfield side ended it with a 15-7 win in the fifth game to secure a huge road win and drop the Scorpions’ record to 2-5 in five-set matches this season.

“I thought tonight was a huge journey for us,” BHS head coach Terene Foutz said. “We played Farmington short four starters. Tonight, the kids really dug deep to get this. They were absolutely clutch in their work ethic and teamwork.”

Foutz was blown away by the play of senior Mavis Edwards, who had 24 digs and 20 kills.

“Mavis played out of her mind,” Foutz said. “That’s not just a double-double, that’s a statement.”

Lana McKee matched Edwards with 24 digs. Setter Meghan Youngblood dished out 40 assists.

“Our strategy was contact-first volleyball,” Foutz said. “Knowing we were losing offense and block, we made a conscious decision to win the serve and pass game. Emily Nelson, Lana McKee and Mavis Edwards were clutch on serve receive. They were our only passers we put on the floor in serve receive, and they aced us only twice in a five-set match.”

Foutz called up freshman Kenasea Byrd in the final two sets of the match, and she finished with four blocks.

“That was huge for us and changed what Farmington wanted to do offensively,” Foutz said. “Everybody worked together, and I’m proud of all the work put in tonight.”

Already 1-0 in league play, the Wolverines will face Pagosa Springs at 10 a.m. and Monte Vista at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Pagosa Springs. Foutz said the team will be back to full strength on Monday.

“Our potential is enormous because we’re doing the work,” Foutz said. “We are learning, working and hoping to make a run at a championship season. The kids are grinding in the gym.

“What I love about Bayfield right now is we have depth. For the first time in six years, it’s not just a small core of kids. Anybody on JV or our swing team or latter half of the varsity roster challenge on a daily basis. We go head to head daily, and it’s fostering growth. We haven’t had that in a long time.”

jlivingston@durangoherald.com