Cavegirl Volleyball on a Roll, Ranked 10th

kmarksteiner0

7 days ago

3 min read

By Don Eskins

Volleyball couldn’t have been much better over the past two weeks for the Carlsbad Cavegirls.

On Saturday, September 12, in the Alien City, the CHS girls downed the Los Alamos Hilltoppers 3-1 before falling to the Mayfield Trojans 3-0 to place second in the Roswell Invitational Tournament Silver Bracket.

On Saturday, September 5, in Las Cruces, the Cavegirls knocked off the Santa Teresa Warriors 3-0 and the Roswell Coyotes 3-2 to capture the Jane Leupold Sweet 16 Volleyball Tournament’s Bronze Bracket championship.

The three victories, accompanied by one loss, left the Cavegirls sitting at 6-3 on the year. Since two opening-season losses, they’ve won six of their last seven outings.

It’s a far cry from Carlsbad’s start on the 2025 season. Last year, through their first nine games, they were a dismal 1-8.

Although still very young, Cavegirl head coach Taylor Hardison says she couldn’t be happier with her troops’ improved play.

“At this point of our season, our girls are playing very well,” said Hardison. “Ranked 10th in Class 5A volleyball this week (September 13-20), the experience and level of maturity they’ve gained over the past two years are really beginning to show.

“Our juniors are seasoned players now,” she said. “They’ve all seen enough volleyball to understand what it takes to compete at this level and how to be leaders on the floor.”

While Hardison credits the efforts of several girls for spearheading the success they’ve enjoyed this year, she did take time to mention one in particular.

“Chloe Lopez, our senior setter, has really stepped up as a leader this year,” said Hardison. “Her efforts, both on the court and off, to make us a better team each week have been crucial to our success.”

The Cavegirls will host the Organ Mt. Knights on Saturday, September 19. The JVs will take the floor at 11 a.m., followed by the varsity at noon.

Cavemen Soccer Falls to Cats

So far, the 2026 soccer season has been tough for the Carlsbad Cavemen, but they keep battling and continue to improve.

On Saturday, September 12, on the road, the CHS boys dropped a tough, hard-fought 4-2 clash to the Lovington Wildcats.

Scoring goals for the Cavemen were Tyson Aycock and Josiah Workman. Currently, CHS is 2-8-1 on the season.

The CHS boys will be on the road on Friday, September 18, to take on the Las Cruces Bulldawgs. On Saturday, September 19, in the City of Crosses, they’ll face off against the Organ Mt. Knights.

Note: The Cavemen hosted the Artesia Bulldogs on Tuesday night, September 15. It marked only the third time this season they’ve played at home. Due to an early deadline this week, results of the game will be posted in our September 25 edition of the Carlsbad Local.

Cavegirl Soccer in Las Cruces

The Carlsbad Cavegirl soccer team sits at 2-6-1 in 2026 after returning home from the Albuquerque Academy Invitational held in the Duke City on September 10-12.

The Cavern City girls will take on the Las Cruces Bulldawgs on Friday, September 18, and the Las Cruces Organ Mt. Knights on Saturday, September 19. Both games will take place in the City of Crosses.

Note: The Cavegirls battled the Artesia Bulldogs in Artesia on Tuesday night, September 15. Due to an early deadline this week, results of the game will be posted in our September 25 edition of the Carlsbad Local.

MaxPreps Scoreboard

Cavegirl Volleyball

Record: 6-3

Sept. 5, Saturday

CHS 25 25 25 3

STHS 22 17 23 0

September 5, Saturday

RHS 2

CHS 3

Sept. 12, vs. Los Alamos

LAHS 11 23 25 17 1

CHS 25 25 19 25 3