When the Bayfield and Piedra Vista volleyball teams play, throw classifications out the window. Regardless of enrollment size, the two programs are regularly at the top when it comes to teams in the Four Corners.
In the first of two meetings in what has become a yearly tradition, Colorado Class 3A Bayfield High School (5-3) traveled to Farmington to take on the new Mexico Class 6A Panthers (9-0). The Wolverines won the first game 25-22 but fell in the next three to lose the match 3-1. Piedra Vista’s game wins came by scores of 25-20, 25-14 and 25-19.
“We played tough, and we can’t wait for the next round, honestly,” BHS head coach Terene Foutz said. “We learned a lot, competed hard, and we’re both better teams having played each other.”
Foutz and Piedra Vista head coach Ron Becker know each other well. Together they help lead the Four Corners Volleyball Club of which Foutz is the executive director. When their teams play, it is a culmination of countless hours of preparation.
“We’re always working hard to get the best out of our team and have them play to their best potential,” Foutz said. “Ron has moved up in a very tough league, and we’re doing the same things trying to go the distance in the playoffs.”
Maddi Foutz led Bayfield with 12 digs. Kylee McCoy had eight kills and five blocks. Coach Foutz was most pleased with her team’s blocking at the net, as the Wolverines had 19.
“That’s a rogue number we haven’t seen yet,” she said. “Whether we can do that match to match, that remains to be seen. PV had blocks, we had blocks. It was a great bout of a net game between the two teams.”
Bayfield is staring at three consecutive road matches at Alamosa, Durango and Pagosa Springs, beginning with Alamosa on Saturday. Piedra Vista will travel to Bayfield on Oct. 4 during BHS homecoming week. A blackout is planned in the stands that night.
“I can’t imagine a match to better prepare us for our upcoming schedule,” coach Foutz said. “We’re ready to take this lineup on.”
Softball
SoftballA tough trip to Cortez ended early for the Durango Demons.
The Durango High School softball team (3-6) was run-ruled 12-0 by rival Montezuma-Cortez (3-6) on Tuesday.
“We just weren’t quite there,” DHS head coach Missy Fundora said. “We weren’t taking advantage of the first few pitches, got late in the count and were swinging at bad pitches.”
Fundora said Rebekah Ford had a great game at shortstop and catcher Joie Raybourn did a good job behind the plate.
The Demons will play four home games this weekend with a doubleheader with Grand Junction Central on Friday and Fruita Monument on Saturday. Senior day for the Demons is Saturday, with all the games being played at Aspen Field on the Fort Lewis College campus.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
