As the 2013 volleyball season heads toward its conclusion, it is clear that the Mancos Bluejays are playing better. The question now becomes whether "better" will be good enough for the team to make a postseason run.

LOSS TO DOLORES

Kicking off last week's play at home against the rival Dolores Bears on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Bluejays flashed brilliance, but eventually fell in four sets, 25-18, 28-26, 16-25, 25-16.

Early in the first set, the Bluejays were unable to stop junior Taylor Elder, who registered several kills during a 19-8 run by the Bears to begin the set.

"I think that we were just so nervous," said Bluejays' junior Courtney Colyer of her team's slow start. "They are our rivals, and we were just trying to pull it together."

Although Colyer did her best to help her team back into the set, scoring several spikes and a nice block, the Bears eventually pulled away to take the set 25-18.

Throughout the second set, the Bluejays played well, pulling ahead 24-23 late, yet again, the Bears' attack proved too much to overcome. After several competitive points, Dolores eventually won the set 28-26 following an ace off the net by sophomore Larissa Umberger.

Playing some of their best volleyball of the season in the third set, the Bluejays pulled ahead 5-1 early on a left-handed spike by junior Brandi Bundy. Later in the set, sophomore Taryn Gordanier put the Bluejays ahead 16-8 with a beautiful block and eventually, the Bluejays won the set 25-16.

"Everyone just decided that it was a game, and we just needed to have fun and be positive," said Colyer, describing her team's third set performance. "We just kind of came together as a team."

Looking to maintain their momentum in the fourth set, the Bluejays pulled ahead 1-0 after Gordanier blocked Bears' sophomore Courtney Blackmer, but after that, it was all Bears.

After multiple spikes by Blackmer and a series of communication errors by the Bluejays, Dolores won the match with a 25-16 fourth set victory.

VICTORY OVER TELLURIDE

Looking to rebound at home against the Telluride Miners on Thursday, Oct. 17, the Bluejays produced one of their better performances of the season, winning a five set thriller, 25-14, 15-25, 25-15, 21-25, 15-10.

Highlighting the Bluejays' first-set victory was the serving of Bundy, who recorded several aces in the Bluejays' 25-14 win.

After dropping the second set, in part because of several setting errors, the Bluejays rebounded for a 25-15 third-set victory.

Again unable to maintain momentum, the Bluejays dropped the fourth set before coming back strong in the fifth to secure the match victory.

Key in the fifth set was the play of Colyer, who put the Bluejays ahead 5-4 with a nice spike before later securing the set win, 15-10, with a spike that deflected off the net.

With the victory over Telluride, the Bluejays moved to 4-12 on the year. The Bluejays will be back at home on Saturday, Oct. 26, against Ridgway to open the 2A District 3 Tournament.

imaclaren@cortezjournal.com