Pagosa Springs desperately wanted to push Tuesday night’s volleyball match into a fifth game. Bayfield wanted at all costs to avoid one.
Backed on Senior Night by an enthusiastic homecoming week fan base, Bayfield ultimately succeeded in that endeavor, beating Pagosa Springs three sets to one: 25-17, 22-25, 25-15, 25-22
With an October 17 trip to 4A Durango on the horizon, Bayfield improved to 5-13 overall and 3-5 in IML play. Pagosa Springs, meanwhile, slipped to 6-9, 3-4 prior to wrapping up league work on the 14th at home versus Centauri (12-5, 6-1).
“We definitely felt it,” said BHS junior Kambrie Byrd. “We felt the band, we felt the rowdy crowd, we felt the gym – it was an amazing feeling! Our offense really got going, and our defense – we were just more consistent and confident in ourselves.”
“Being here in the program for four years, this was probably the best night I’ve had with a crowd,” said libero Meili Lovejoy, one of BHS’ four seniors saluted prior to the 3A Intermountain League action. “It was amazing to see everyone come out – it felt amazing. It was going to be my last chance on this court, so I pushed with all I’ve got … and just savored the moment.”
With the Lady Wolverines leading two sets to one, Byrd quickly bashed two kills to begin set four, but behind junior Aspen Pitcher and sophomore Lexi Campbell, PSHS quashed the uprising and steadily built up a 9-6 lead. BHS recovered well and retied the score at 10-10, but the Lady Pirates persisted and regained leads of 11-10 and 12-11.
Bayfield sophomore Grace Barber downed a kill for a 15-14 advantage, but head coach Terene Foutz decided to use a timeout after sophomore Evelette Hollibaugh played a roll shot wide, giving Pagosa Springs an 18-16 lead. After the Lady Wolverines retied yet again, then again at 19- and 20-all, Katie Killinen tipped a ball off the Lady Pirates’ block – pressing PSHS skipper Katie Lorenzen to burn a timeout with the guests down 22-20.
“It was fun to see Katie, a senior, do that in front of her family,” Foutz said. “Kudos to a senior who got us in the lead.”
The Lady Pirates managed to stay afloat in the fourth set, via a Bayfield centerline violation and an uncontrolled BHS serve-reception properly dispatched at the net by PSHS senior Kynslie Limebrook. Senior Grace Walker then served again, but the Lady Wolverines this time were ready and passed the ball cleanly to Owens. Bluffing perfectly, Owens then dumped, with two hands, the expected set directly into the exposed center of the visitors’ floor – securing the fourth set and needed home win.
“Since we beat (the Lady Pirates) in four, and we lost in five last time, it puts our (league) ranking higher,” said Byrd. “So that gives us a good chance at the playoffs.”
