MaxPreps 2015 New Mexico high school volleyball preview

Video: Sandia High's Raelynn Edge

The 2015-16 volleyball picture in New Mexico is slightly cloudy at this time, but one thing is certain - four teams from Albuquerque appear to have a shot at claiming the Class 6A state championship.

Start with defending champion Cibola (Albuquerque), which returns three starters from a 15-8 team. Coach Cydryce McMillian recalled, "Last year we were favored all year. We struggled a little bit at times, stayed focused, kept our eyes on the big prize and we jelled at the state. We've got a lot of rising juniors coming back and I'm excited."

The Cougars have one of the state's most explosive hitters in 6-foot junior Hannah Thompson, a candidate for Player of The Year. McMillian calls her "the best athlete in the state. She jumps out of the gym."



The other returning starters are 5-10 junior Destyni Brooks, who will switch from libero to hitting this year, and 6-1 senior middle blocker Aleah Martinez, who is a third-year varsity performer.

La Cueva (Albuquerque) will challenge with four returning starters from a 14-9 team. The Bears also have a Player of the Year candidate in 5-9 senior Abigail Stomp, who was one of just 29 setters chosen for the USA Volleyball National Youth A2 program. The four-year standout is expected to attend Northern Arizona University.

Other veteran returnees include 5-11 senior outside hitter Madison Harris, 5-2 senior libero Sophia Masuda and 5-9 junior middle hitter Celeste Carmignani. Coach Steve Archibeque calls Carmignani "a hard hitter and one of the best blockers in the state."

Sandia (Albuquerque) has a strong nucleus of four starters from last year's 20-1 team, which lost to Cibola in the 6A semifinals. Coach Megan Holland lists 6-1 junior middle blocker Abbey Willison as one of the state's premier players. She also counts heavily on 5-2 junior libero Linnea Romero, 6-0 junior outside hitter Rachel Sloan and 5-9 senior setter Raelynn Edge.

Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) posted an 8-14 record last year against the state's third-toughest schedule and returns three starters, including Player of The Year candidate Lyric Ellison, a 5-7 senior outside hitter who was second in kills last year. Coach Dawn C'deBaca also will rely on veterans Jordan Breding, a 5-4 libero, who led in digs and aces, and 5-6 setter Jaelynn Guajardo, a junior who led in assists.

Class 5A
Centennial (Las Cruces) will be hard to unseat after winning its first state title in only its third year as a school. The Hawks were 21-4 and return four starters plus several others with extensive experience.



Coach Al Rosen expects big things from 5-9 senior setter Destiny Ruiz, 6-0 senior middle hitter Savannah Bush, 5-8 outside hitter Iyabo Adeogba and 5-0 senior libero D'Andra Espinoza.

Centennial's major challenge probably will come from St. Pius X (Albuquerque), which had a 17-7 record last year.

Class 4A
Look for defending champion Ruidoso and Portales to battle it out for state honors.

Three starters are back from a 20-5 team for veteran coach Pam Allen, who has won five state championships and made the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame for her pioneering since 1969.

Lia Mosher, a 6-2 junior power hitter who lifts weights with the football team, will lead the Warriors. Senior Andi Harrelson (5-7) is another outstanding athlete who won the long jump and javelin and was the high-point female at the 4A state track meet. The third veteran is 5-6 junior outside hitter Bailey Jones.

The Portales Rams will count on three starters from a 10-14 squad. Coach Ruth Chavez has some big hitters in 6-foot senior Kambrey Blakey, 5-9 senior Bailey Rowley and 6-2 sophomore Lindsay Blakey, Kambrey's younger sister.

Class 3A
Texico may again rule Class 3A, coming off its eighth state championship in the last 10 years. Coach Kristen Scanlon returns four starters from a 23-1 team that won its last 21 matches and she said, "If we stay healthy we can have a great season. We've got a lot of pieces to the puzzle and have had a great summer."



The key veterans are 5-11 junior hitter Jasmine Gannon, 5-9 junior middle blocker Mel Davalos, 5-10 senior outside hitter Brianna Reyna and 5-6 senior setter Audrey Wren.

Class 2A/A
Elida - which has only 40 high school-age students - always can be expected to contend for a title. The Tigers, in fact, have notched the last five state championships in Class A.

Coach Darrell Chenault returns four starters from a 24-0 team. Lauren Stone, a 5-11 senior middle blocker, leads the way and she is one of the best in the state. She will get plenty of support from 5-8 senior outside hitter Kynzi Creighton, whose mother and aunt also played on Elida state championship teams, 5-10 junior outside hitter Taylor Epps and 5-6 setter Madi Haley.