GRANTS, N.M. - If two’s company and three is a crowd, it must mean the Grants Lady Pirates love a crowd.
The Grants volleyball team is not on a two-game winning streak anymore, but a three-game winning streak after its win over Bloomfield on October 1.
This winning streak has given the team plenty of confidence as they continue through their season and prepare for the challenges ahead.
On Monday, September 28, the Lady Pirates went to support the Lady Buccaneers at their home game against St. Pius. The Lady Pirates cheered from the stands as the Lady Buccaneers battled against St. Pius X and eventually came away with the win. After watching the Lady Buccaneers get the victory, the Lady Pirates were pumped and ready to take that same energy into their own game the next day against Española Valley at the “Port of the Pirates.”
“I think we all enjoyed watching and cheering them on during the game,” Melonas said. “I think if we take the energy we used to cheer them on and use it in our own games it could help us out a lot.”
Unfortunately, the game against Española Valley had to be rescheduled, and instead of playing on September 29, the Lady Pirates would have to wait until Monday, October 5, to take on Espanola Valley.
Although having a game postponed can be frustrating, the extra time gave the Lady Pirates an opportunity to mentally reset, recover, and focus on what they needed to improve before their upcoming games against Bloomfield and Kirtland Central.
Unlike the first time Grants played Bloomfield - a 3-2 Pirate loss - this time, the Lady Pirates came out on top, defeating Bloomfield 31. The win was an important one for the team because it showed their ability to learn from the previous loss and make adjustments when they faced Bloomfield again.
Instead of letting the earlier defeat affect their confidence, the Lady Pirates used it as motivation to come back stronger.
Varsity player Aubree Aragon had a great game against Bloomfield, making an impact with her front-row attacks and touches on the blocks. Her performance helped keep the Lady Pirates competitive at the net and added pressure to Bloomfield's offense. Plays like these showed the team's determination and the importance of staying aggressive throughout the match. Aragon says that on offense her team's communication was a lot of help.
“My team's communication was a great resource, especially when they would communicate how many blockers I was up against.” Aragon said. “My teammates are a great asset when it comes to hitting, when they let me know if they set it too close to the net or off of the net, which is important for me to get a good down ball.”
With the season continuing, the Lady Pirates will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming matches. Their recent success has shown that the team can bounce back from losses, stay focused through unexpected changes, and come together when it matters most.
As they continue their season, the Lady Pirates will look to keep the winning streak alive and add more victories to their record.
The Lady Pirates faced Española Valley on Monday, October 5, the first time Grants has played the Sundevils this season.
On Tuesday, October 6, the Lady Pirates played their first district game against Hope Christian, another team they have not faced this season, making it a new challenge. It appeared to be a tough matchup, but any team is beatable on a good day. The Lady Pirates will look to stay focused, play together, and carry their recent momentum into district play.
EDITOR’S NOTE: As the Citizen went to press, the GHS volleyball team reported its fourth straight win over Española Valley on Monday, October 5. More of that in the next edition of the Citizen.