Cavegirls battle Clovis in District 4A OpenerBy Don EskinsAfter thirteen gruelling non conference volleyball games,the Cavegirls will now be heading into District 4A play.The Cavegirls, 4-9 on the year, will open up conference playon Tuesday, Oct. 12, against the Clovis Wildcats (4-11). Game time is set for 6:30 and will take place here in Carlsbad."We spent the entire non-conference part of our schedule getting ready for district," said Cavegirl head coach Bill Niemeier. "Skill wise I think we're about as ready as we can be.""From here on out we're going to have to step up mentally, play each point tough and bend but not break," he said. "If we can do that I think our girls will have an opportunity to do very well in conference play this year."The Cavegirls and Wildcats have already met once this season with Carlsbad High coming out on top 3-2."Clovis at home is a very good opener for us," said Niemeier. "Having beaten the Wildcats once already this season should give our girls a boost of confidence as they enter the game. Hopefully we'll have a lot of Cavegirl supporters out to help them get off to a good start."As the Cavegirls make a run at this year's Districst 4A title they'll be looking to Gracie Eckles, Annika Sowers, Brynlee Daughtry and Kailyn Hestand to lead the way."Gracie is obviously our most powerful player and Annika is now playing an outside hitter opposite her. This helps to keep us strong on the outside all the way around for six rotations," he said. "Brynlee is our primary setter and Kailyn, coming back off an injury, should also help to give our team a boost of confidence.""Besides the skills these girls have shown on the court this season they've also provided us with a lot of leadership," said Niemeier. "Because the mentalaspect of our game will be so (4-11)important to us, as we enter district play, it's especially important for us that they step up big." On Thursday Oct. 14,Carlsbad High will travel to Roswell to tackle the Coyotes.Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. The Cavegirls were scheduled to play Roswell Goddard on Tuesday night, Oct. 5.
Game recap-Oct. 1Santa Teresa 3, Cavegirls 0: 1. Gracie Eckles 7K-2BA-3B-10D, 2. Sammi Oliver 2D-1Ast, 3. Isabelle Kostendbader 2K-3B-7D, 4. Annika Sowers 5K-1A-1B-9D, 5. Brynlee Daughtry 1-K-2A-2B-8-D-11A, 6. Carly Younger 4K-4B, 7. Danica Medina 12D.