Week 9 What to Watch: Big Three, Questions and Players to Watch
- By J Grine
- New Mexico High School Volleyball
- 3 Replies
WEEKEND WATCH LIST
WEEKEND BIG THREE (sort of four)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Game (Yes, the song)
No. 2 St. Pius X vs No. 16 Albuquerque Academy, Thursday: The Sartans come into the game at (12-2, 1-0) coming off a monster win over Moriarty on Tuesday night. The Sartans right now are looking at a potential one seed in the state tournament. Not only is Albquerque Academy (11-4, 1-0) a ranked opponent they are a long rival to Pius.
Bubble Game (Cherry Red Flavor)
Valencia vs Espanola Valley, Saturday: Neither squad is ranked but both are on the so-called bubble for 5A teams hunting for a seed. Valencia right now at (6-8, 2-3) has the slight edge on our rank of bubble teams. This win will not "help" but could possibly pop the mythical bubble if they drop this contest. Espanola Valley (7-7, 1-2) could only benefit from this win and likely jump over Valencia with a dub (win) in this contest.
Double Take for Second (No slip Up's)
Deming vs Gadsden; Las Cruces vs Mayfield, Saturday: Okay of the four Deming is just trying to play the spoiler game at (6-9, 0-4) the playoffs are all but over with. Now, for the excitement of district play and playoff talk. Gadsden (8-8, 2-2), Las Cruces (8-8, 2-2) and Mayfield (11-6, 2-2) are all currently tied in second place and in the hunt behind Onate. We haven't spent time to determine a potential tie breaker, so we just list the three in second place. Gadsden could make a jump from a week ago and with a win move into third/second. The loser of Las Cruces and Mayfield falls a game behind. Las Cruces took round one at LCHS but now the Mayfield Lady Trojans hope to seek revenge against the rival of Las Cruces' oldest high schools.
WEEKEND QUESTIONS FOR TOP-25 TEAMS
Can they run the table? La Cueva (14-0, 4-0) is currently ranked No. 1 (NMPreps.com Top-25 Team Rankings) and they get to square off with No. 11 Eldorado (7-6, 1-2) who could use the win for seed talk.
Who's number one in 5A? Los Lunas is ranked 7th in the state at (10-3, 4-0) and took the first match over No. 4 Centennial (13-2, 3-1). The rematch is in Las Cruces and both could be fighting for the top seed. (Yes, St. Pius X is currently number one but never know)
Is this team one to look at when considering a top-3 seeds? Roswell is ranked 9th in the state of New Mexico and at (13-2, 1-0) this team can't afford any loss. Artesia, a team searching to earn it's respect back is a scary opponent to show Roswell's true colors this late in the game.
PLAYERS THIS WEEKEND
Jordan Holland (Los Lunas) vs. Savannah Bush (Centennial): Both players bring the high profile, next level prospect, name to the game. Excitement, well yes!
Alina Vanecek (Abq Academy) vs. Kayla Griego (St. Pius X): Both made the all-state list a year ago and this match up brings more excitement in 5A this weekend. Vanecek has 234 kills, 43 serving aces.
Annabelle Kubinski (La Cueva) vs. Brigette Lowe (Eldorado): La Cueva has plenty of power to list but we look at the sophomore sensation in Kubinski to lead the charge as an x-factor. 119 kills on the season she could be the name this weekend. Lowe has 195 kills this season and has seen her name mentioned before, this weekend she gets to display it as a headline if they win.
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TUESDAY NIGHT WATCH LIST
TUESDAY BIG THREE
Seed Game
Gadsden vs. Las Cruces: The Gadsden Lady Panthers (7-8) fell under .500 last week and out of the Top-25 last week. Right now searching for a signature win to help their case for the state tournament. Las Cruces (8-7) still ranked in the top-25 are looking to only improve their stock, a win won't really help but a loss will be detrimental to the seed.
Bubble Game
West Mesa vs. Albuquerque High: West Mesa (6-7) is leading the district race right now in 5-6A but this could potentially be the make a break type of game. Likely one team is going dancing from this district, the winner of this match could be the one dancing. Albuquerque (5-7) also undefeated in 5-6A was the favorite to win this district, tonight they get to live up to that.
Intriguing Game
Goddard vs. Artesia: This contest is a potential 4A seed game but brings two talented squads. Goddard (10-5) has been playing well lately and bring in a 2-game win streak. Goddard still ranked in the top-25 needs this game to stay in conversation for a playoff spot, with 4A teams on the rise they can't afford any loss. Artesia (10-4) recently fell out of the top-25 and needs a game to get back into the conversation.
TUESDAY QUESTIONS
Is Manzano a playoff team? They square off with Top-25 Eldorado tonight in a "scary" game for the Lady Eagles. Manzano is a decent squad, they could be the upset flavor on any night.
Is Sandia the better team, they play Cibola? Last season Cibola played spoiler to Sandia in the state tournament as Sandia was the one seed and lost to the Cougars. Now Sandia comes in as this underrated, I use that loosely, team in this contest trying to spoil the Lady Cougars playoff hopes.
Is Onate the real deal? The Lady Knights are coming off as the team of the week last week (week 8) and play a game to prove their dominance with top-25 opponent Mayfield tonight. Onate can improve their stock with this win as they are the potential 2-seed in the state tournament. Magical season or has the dust settled? They are 8-0 vs. New Mexico teams.
GIVE ME SIX: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Today, I am listing six players that are top players in New Mexico but also six players that are making the NMPreps.com teams Miss Volleyball shortlist of candidates.
Other 3 Not Playing Tuesday, But Worth the Mention
Any thoughts on Tuesday night?
WEEKEND BIG THREE (sort of four)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Game (Yes, the song)
No. 2 St. Pius X vs No. 16 Albuquerque Academy, Thursday: The Sartans come into the game at (12-2, 1-0) coming off a monster win over Moriarty on Tuesday night. The Sartans right now are looking at a potential one seed in the state tournament. Not only is Albquerque Academy (11-4, 1-0) a ranked opponent they are a long rival to Pius.
Bubble Game (Cherry Red Flavor)
Valencia vs Espanola Valley, Saturday: Neither squad is ranked but both are on the so-called bubble for 5A teams hunting for a seed. Valencia right now at (6-8, 2-3) has the slight edge on our rank of bubble teams. This win will not "help" but could possibly pop the mythical bubble if they drop this contest. Espanola Valley (7-7, 1-2) could only benefit from this win and likely jump over Valencia with a dub (win) in this contest.
Double Take for Second (No slip Up's)
Deming vs Gadsden; Las Cruces vs Mayfield, Saturday: Okay of the four Deming is just trying to play the spoiler game at (6-9, 0-4) the playoffs are all but over with. Now, for the excitement of district play and playoff talk. Gadsden (8-8, 2-2), Las Cruces (8-8, 2-2) and Mayfield (11-6, 2-2) are all currently tied in second place and in the hunt behind Onate. We haven't spent time to determine a potential tie breaker, so we just list the three in second place. Gadsden could make a jump from a week ago and with a win move into third/second. The loser of Las Cruces and Mayfield falls a game behind. Las Cruces took round one at LCHS but now the Mayfield Lady Trojans hope to seek revenge against the rival of Las Cruces' oldest high schools.
WEEKEND QUESTIONS FOR TOP-25 TEAMS
Can they run the table? La Cueva (14-0, 4-0) is currently ranked No. 1 (NMPreps.com Top-25 Team Rankings) and they get to square off with No. 11 Eldorado (7-6, 1-2) who could use the win for seed talk.
Who's number one in 5A? Los Lunas is ranked 7th in the state at (10-3, 4-0) and took the first match over No. 4 Centennial (13-2, 3-1). The rematch is in Las Cruces and both could be fighting for the top seed. (Yes, St. Pius X is currently number one but never know)
Is this team one to look at when considering a top-3 seeds? Roswell is ranked 9th in the state of New Mexico and at (13-2, 1-0) this team can't afford any loss. Artesia, a team searching to earn it's respect back is a scary opponent to show Roswell's true colors this late in the game.
PLAYERS THIS WEEKEND
Jordan Holland (Los Lunas) vs. Savannah Bush (Centennial): Both players bring the high profile, next level prospect, name to the game. Excitement, well yes!
Alina Vanecek (Abq Academy) vs. Kayla Griego (St. Pius X): Both made the all-state list a year ago and this match up brings more excitement in 5A this weekend. Vanecek has 234 kills, 43 serving aces.
Annabelle Kubinski (La Cueva) vs. Brigette Lowe (Eldorado): La Cueva has plenty of power to list but we look at the sophomore sensation in Kubinski to lead the charge as an x-factor. 119 kills on the season she could be the name this weekend. Lowe has 195 kills this season and has seen her name mentioned before, this weekend she gets to display it as a headline if they win.
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TUESDAY NIGHT WATCH LIST
TUESDAY BIG THREE
Seed Game
Gadsden vs. Las Cruces: The Gadsden Lady Panthers (7-8) fell under .500 last week and out of the Top-25 last week. Right now searching for a signature win to help their case for the state tournament. Las Cruces (8-7) still ranked in the top-25 are looking to only improve their stock, a win won't really help but a loss will be detrimental to the seed.
Bubble Game
West Mesa vs. Albuquerque High: West Mesa (6-7) is leading the district race right now in 5-6A but this could potentially be the make a break type of game. Likely one team is going dancing from this district, the winner of this match could be the one dancing. Albuquerque (5-7) also undefeated in 5-6A was the favorite to win this district, tonight they get to live up to that.
Intriguing Game
Goddard vs. Artesia: This contest is a potential 4A seed game but brings two talented squads. Goddard (10-5) has been playing well lately and bring in a 2-game win streak. Goddard still ranked in the top-25 needs this game to stay in conversation for a playoff spot, with 4A teams on the rise they can't afford any loss. Artesia (10-4) recently fell out of the top-25 and needs a game to get back into the conversation.
TUESDAY QUESTIONS
Is Manzano a playoff team? They square off with Top-25 Eldorado tonight in a "scary" game for the Lady Eagles. Manzano is a decent squad, they could be the upset flavor on any night.
Is Sandia the better team, they play Cibola? Last season Cibola played spoiler to Sandia in the state tournament as Sandia was the one seed and lost to the Cougars. Now Sandia comes in as this underrated, I use that loosely, team in this contest trying to spoil the Lady Cougars playoff hopes.
Is Onate the real deal? The Lady Knights are coming off as the team of the week last week (week 8) and play a game to prove their dominance with top-25 opponent Mayfield tonight. Onate can improve their stock with this win as they are the potential 2-seed in the state tournament. Magical season or has the dust settled? They are 8-0 vs. New Mexico teams.
GIVE ME SIX: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Today, I am listing six players that are top players in New Mexico but also six players that are making the NMPreps.com teams Miss Volleyball shortlist of candidates.
- Catherine Kelly (Sandia Prep): The sophomore could take the trophy if the Lady Sundevils stay perfect.
- Alina Vanecek (Albuquerque Academy): Leading the state with 218 kills, Vanecek is a must watch. Her stock is high right now, she should dominate the contest Tuesday vs 1-win Grants.
- Brigette Lowe (Eldorado): Lowe has been mentioned this season and has been one of the best players. She and the Lady Eagles take on Manzano Tuesday. Lowe has 195 kills this season ranking 5th.
Other 3 Not Playing Tuesday, But Worth the Mention
- Lyric Ellison (Volcano Vista): One of the most consistent players this season, Ellison is a must watch any night.
- Abigail Stomp (La Cueva): Stomp is a D-1 commit and maybe not the profile game Tuesday (or any game) but watch out for Thursday.
- Alyssa Adams (Moriarty): Adams another sophomore makes the list this season and has been impressive this season. This district is tough and she has her work cut out for her but to this point she has held her own. *Note Moriarty is actually taking on St. Pius X on Tuesday night. This is a huge game. Sorry for the oversight.
Any thoughts on Tuesday night?