Cavegirl Volleyball Set for District 4/5A Run

By Don Eskins

On August 21, in their season inaugural, Cavegirl head volleyball coach Taylor Hardison led her young charges, top-heavy with sophomores and freshmen, onto the court against the Centennial Hawks.

The battle with the Hawks would serve as the first of a 16-game pre-conference schedule for Carlsbad. Sixteen games later, the Cavegirls own a record of 4-12.

On Tuesday night, October 14, in Carlsbad, CHS will open District 4/5A play against the Clovis Wildcats. Often called the second season, the unfolding of this year’s conference schedule has Hardison’s chargers fired up and ready to play.

The JVs will get the night’s action underway at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity at 6 p.m.

“This is the time of the year we’ve all been working for,” said Hardison. “Our girls have grown a lot since our August 21 opener with Centennial. Now, after fighting their way through a difficult pre-conference schedule, they have their sights set on winning this season’s District 4/5A title. They want to be District champions.

“Although still young, our kids’ confidence level couldn’t be higher,” said the Cavegirl coach. “They’re not the same team they were two months ago. They’re much more experienced, they connect on the court, and they’re coming together as a team at just the right time. They feel like they can compete with anybody.”

According to Hardison, something else is coming together at just the right time for the Cavegirls.

“We’re playing some really good offense right now, better than we have for the past two years,” said Hardison. “We’ve always played good defense. Playing well in both areas has also given us all a shot of confidence as we head into district play.”

Playing at home in their conference opener will definitely be a plus for Carlsbad.

“Taking on Clovis at home will be big for our kids,” said the Cavegirl coach. “Having the home crowd behind them, en route to a victory over the Wildcats, would be a great way for us to kick off district play.”

Tuesday night’s probable lineup for the Cavegirls will feature Scarlett Haley, Brinley Brantley, Macie Stephens, Jazmariyah Sandoval, Elizabeth Tyndorf, Arianna Garcia, Melanie Griffin, and Daisha Nieto.

Clovis will enter the conference clash with a record of 7-9.