MaxPreps 2014 New Mexico high school volleyball preview

The volleyball power in New Mexico this year appears to lie in Albuquerque.

The class system has been upgraded this year, but in the top class (6A) Cibola (Albuquerque) is the No. 1 team with four starters returning from a 15-6 team. The Cougars also have a new coach, Cydryce McMillian, who previously coached at A&M Consolidated in College Station, Texas.

"That's a lot of pressure," McMillian said in reference to her new team's lofty ranking. "It's a great starting point. We have high expectations and the girls are ready."

Cibola is led by 5-foot-10 senior Tatyana Battle, who will be a contender for state Player of the Year honors. She has made a commitment to New Mexico State University.

"I love her personality," McMillian told MaxPreps. "She is a great team player, very physical and smart. She plays defense well and is the complete package."

Battle will get plenty of support from 5-11 sophomore Hannah Thompson.

McMillian calls Thompson "a fun player to watch because she can jump out of the gym. She's a very physical player and can grab the basketball rim."

The No. 2 Class 6A team is Sandia (Albuquerque), which returns four starters from a Class 5A state champion. The Matadors will carry a 12-game winning streak into this season.

They also have a new head coach, Kris Borland, although he spent the last seven years as varsity assistant and head JV coach. He is currently the interim coach while Megan Holland takes a year off to raise her new baby.

The Matadors also have a great building block in 5-10 senior Amanda Carroll, who was named state Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior.  Last year she had 343 kills, 221 digs and 108 blocks.

Another senior, 5-8 Miranda Sanchez, gives them a strong 1-2 punch.

Never to be counted out is Rio Rancho, coached by veteran Toby Manzanares, who returns four starters from an 18-7 team which reached the state quarterfinals. He owns seven state titles.

"Our volleyball IQ is really good," he said. "We play one of the toughest schedules in the state and we play our best in November."

One of the fastest-rising teams in the state is Centennial (Las Cruces), which is No. 1 in Class 5A though in only its third year as a high school. The Hawks posted a 19-4 record last year and reached the Class 4A state semifinals. They return three starters.

Last year's leader in kills, Addison Pedraza, a 5-7 senior, returns to lead the offense.

She will get plenty of help from Elexias Patterson, a transfer who was ineligible last year. The 6-foot standout is one of the state's best hitters and a strong Division I prospect.

Coach Al Rosen said, "She takes the level of our team way up."

Another 5A team to watch is St. Pius X (Albuquerque), which returns five starters from a 13-9 team and boasts six state championships.

The Sartans are also under a new coach, Jeanne Fairchild, a 2005 graduate who played for a pair of state champions, was a three-time Class 4A state Player of the Year and is happy to return home.

Libero Mercedes Pacheco will lead the way. The 5-3 senior has already made a commitment to the University of New Mexico. Julia Landavazo, a 5-9 senior, also is a key returnee.

Fairchild said, "We have a lot of experience and I keep telling our kids that we are going to take the state title."

Small-school powerhouse Fort Sumner has been moved up to Class 2A this year after dominating 1A with six state titles and five runner-up finishes. Coach Lisa McMath has 409 victories in 22 years.

A school of just 97 students in grades 9-12, Fort Sumner often holds its own against much bigger opponents.

Last year's Class 1A state champs posted an 18-6 record and three starters are back. The top returnee is 5-9 senior Codi Ann Scovel, who paced the Vixens in blocks.

Texico, which holds 10 state titles, has moved from 2A to 3A. Three starters are back from a 14-9 team, which started a pair of freshmen.

Coach Kristen Scanlan will count on a pair of top hitters, 5-11 sophomore Jasmine Gannon and 5-9 junior Brianna Reyna. Chyanne Scarborough, a 5-5 senior, will be the libero.