During the past two seasons, the Mancos High School volleyball team was unable to defeat Dolores, losing six straight matchups.
On Sept. 16, the Bluejays finally defeated their rivals in convincing fashion, winning 25-20, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18 in Mancos.
After struggling during the early stages of the match, the Bluejays pulled things together to close out the first set in impressive fashion.
"The first game, we started a little bit off," said Bluejays senior Jessica Willburn. "Then we all started connecting and getting our flow together. It just worked really well."
Continuing to build momentum in the second set, the Bluejays again dictated play, utilizing a diversified attack to cruise to a 25-17 victory.
"We just had intensity and we knew that we could do it," said Bluejays senior Courtney Colyer. "A lot of other teams have one base hitter. We have a lot of options and it's hard to read us."
Looking to close things out in the third set, the Bluejays hit a roadblock, falling behind 13-11.
After consecutive aces by junior Taryn Gordanier tied the set, 13-13, Dolores mounted a 4-0 run to pull ahead 17-13.
Although the Bluejays managed to tie things the set, 21-21, Dolores closed strong, winning the final four points of the set thanks kills by Taylor Elder and Courtney Blackmer and two hitting errors by Mancos.
From then on however, it was all Bluejays as Mancos jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth set and never looked back.
Multiple kills by Colyer, a tip by Kaylee Rose, and an incredible block by Rose allowed Mancos to pull ahead 23-17 and the Bluejays eventually closed out the set 25-18 after a Dolores hitting error.
As audience members celebrated the Bluejays victory, Colyer took a moment to discuss the signicance of beating the Bears.
Since we were freshmen, we've always had a hard time (beating Dolores)," said Colyer. "Tonight, we finally got it done."
With the victory, Mancos improved to 5-1 on the season and will next play at home against Nucla on Sept. 18.
