Laughlin Times: Local

LUND - Laughlin High School's volleyball team concluded its last independent season by splitting a doubleheader on its longest road-trip of the year.

Next year LHS expects to be a full-fledged member of Division III of the NIAA, formed from merging Classes 1A and 2A, except in football, and thus eligible for post-season tournaments and titles.

The Lady Cougars downed the Lady Mustangs, 2-1, in the first match, while the Silver and Blue fell to the Blue and Gold, 2-1, in the second match. Laughlin won the first match, 25-20, 19-25 and 15-13; Lund captured the second match, 22-25, 25-17 and 16-14.

That meant the team finished 9-5 in regular matches, plus its 2-2 slate in a tournament.

“Our girls played awesome, as both matches were close. It was the best they've played all season,” observed Coach Eliza Candelaria. “We finally found ourselves and the season is over,” she lamented.

She pointed out that captain Pi Viriyakul, who played all four years, “definitely will be big shoes to fill - she knows the game inside and out.” Her other senior, Rochelle Martinez, transferred in and “Improved a lot throughout the year, including starting in the match we won.”

Three juniors will be expected to lead the squad next year.

Elisa Daniels “became an amazing hitter and improved all around, both attitude-wise and technique-wise,” the coach said.

Terran Drescher “was our number-one setter and our other captain. I don't know what we would have done without her. She is absolutely one of the best setters I've ever seen,” Candelaria said.

Jennifer Wood “played JV last year and stepped up to the varsity. She became a great hitter,” according to the coach.

Her other returning player from last year was sophomore Jordan Wright.

Candelaria said, “She was always eager to get it right and do better the next time.”

Freshmen included Brooke Lee, Patty Valdez and Brianna Manning as regulars. Melody Clarke and Alexyss Young played mostly JV but also had many varsity appearances.