by 
Copper Basin News
The Ray Jr. High volleyball teams open their season at Eloy last week and both the seventh and eighth grade teams came away with straight-set wins against the Blue Devils.
The seventh-grade team won its match (25-17, 25-10, 15-6) thanks to an outstanding performance from Indigo Patterson at the service line in the match’s first two games. Marissa Barragan, Kacy Molar, and Chelsea Flores also starred for the Jr. Lady Cats at the service line.
Lucinda Schneider, Molar, and Flores each had at least one ace in the match’s third game.
Head coach Stacy Johnson was pleased with her team’s communication on the court as well as their patience but added, “We still need to work on our movement.”
“This was a nice match to learn what the game of volleyball is all about,” Johnson said about her team’s performance. “We will be working on moving more during each volley.”
The eighth-grade team was victorious (25-18, 25-17, 15-5) despite some nervousness at the service line to start.
“I had some nervous eighth graders at the service line,” Johnson said afterwards. “We had a few too many serves not in than we like to have.”
Eventually, the Jr. Lady Cats settled in and Julianna Hong, Danielle Barajos, and Emma Cude were able to execute great overhand serves in the first game. Cude added two great kills.
The nerves dissipated in the second game for the Jr. Lady Cats as Barajos started the game with eight-straight serves and was followed Cude, Bianaca Gutierrerz, and Hong, who all were on top of their service game.
Ashlin Baca and Emiley Rutter starred at the service line in game three and made it difficult for the Blue Devils’ return game.
“We definitely made some junior mistakes in this match, but the nice thing is these girls know how to make adjustments and did not let these mistakes bring them down,” Johnson said. “I’m look forward to our next match.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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