Pojoaque has its most wins since their undefeated 2011 season, reaching 21 wins on the season. But they need two more to get back to being state champions.
The fifth-seeded Elkettes (21-4) reached the semifinals in Rio Rancho with two more wins on Friday, after winning two of their three matches on Thursday in the double-elimination tournament format, where they will face the top seed for a chance at a state championship.
“We had a lot of energy throughout our past two games, and that’s what we needed,” said senior Adrianna Rodriguez. “We’ve worked together more than ever.”
In their final of three matches through the elimination bracket, Pojoaque swept No. 3 Artesia (17-9), taking down the defending state champions while picking up steam through the match.
In the third set, leading 2-0, Pojoaque was tied 13-13 before they rattled off 11 straight points during Adrianna Rodriguez’s service run.
“Our serving was on key tonight,” Joe Rodriguez said.
Anica Urioste was dominant all match, recording seven aces. The Elks thrived defensively and capitalizing on Artesia’s misplays, with the team combining for just 20 kills, 17 from Joslyn Nunez assists. Junior Tessa Martinez led the team with four blocks in the match.
“Back row kicked butt today,” Joe Rodriguez said. “They don’t let balls hit the floor.”
A four-point run helped Pojoaque pull away in the first set to a 17-13 lead, which they extended and finished off at 25-21. Artesia was close in the second set until a six-point Pojoaque run led to a 22-13 lead, and ultimately a 25-15 set win. And after going up 24-13, they gave up four points before finishing the match.
To reach that match, Pojoaque took down Albuquerque Academy (14-13), in four sets, in a match that included big comebacks in all of the Elkettes’ wins. The Chargers presented a challenge with three players 6 feet or taller, including one at 6 feet, 5 inches.
In the first set, they trailed 24-18, then rattled off six straight points for the tie, and eventually finished at 29-27. In the second, they found themselves down 19-15, then rattled off nine straight, and won 25-21. They were also down 18-10 in the third set before coming back to take a 21-19 lead, but fell short at 25-22. And in the fourth set, they stayed closer, though they trailed 20-18 before winning 25-22.
“We got down at points, but then we remembered, if we lose we’re done,” Adrianna Rodriguez said. “That was our push on that.”
Sonya Quintana was the star of that match with 20 kills, eight in the first set alone, and five aces. Larissa Rodriguez contributed four blocks and eight kills, and Nunez had 40 assists.
“Our strong senior group, veteran group helps out,” Joe Rodriguez said. “And then the energy, they had the energy.”
Pojoaque next faces top-ranked Goddard (21-4), with an 8 a.m. start time that is no teenager’s ideal Saturday. And Pojoaque will have to use everything they have left in the tank, while Goddard has played just two matches, and eight sets compared to Pojoaque’s 18, after a first-round bye.
“We’re tired,” Adrianna Rodriguez said. “We played Academy earlier, we put all of our effort into that one, all our energy. And (against Artesia) too.