Pojoaque libero Miquela Lovato has been an integral part of one of the most dominant runs in recent Northern New Mexico volleyball history. Since 2005 when Lovato started playing for Pojoaque’s varsity team as an eighth-grader, the Elkettes have put together an eye-popping 53-1 record in District 2AAA and have won five consecutive district titles.
Pojoaque claimed its latest district title with a win over West Las Vegas. Pojoaque made short work of the Lady Dons Oct. 24, winning 25-17, 25-15, 25-12 in a road game to improve to 8-0 in district play and 17-1 overall.
The victory over the Dons means Pojoaque will be the top seed in the district tournament and will automatically qualify for the state tournament. Pojoaque will host the district championship game Nov. 7 at Pojoaque.
Since Pojoaque coach Brian Ainsworth took over the volleyball program in 2004, the Elkettes have won a Class AAA state championship (2006) and been to the state semifinals three other times. Lovato has been one of the rocks that have been the foundation of this success.
“I told her that she’s just as big a part of it as I am,” Ainsworth said. “It’s something special we’ve built together.”
Pojoaque dominated the Dons from the service line, recording 13 aces and keeping the Dons off balance. Kiana Vigil had four aces, while Lovato, Marissa Romero and Dionna Montoya each had three. The Elkettes success from the service line kept Pojoaque’s kills down. Kira Trujillo led the way with 11 kills.
“(West) didn’t get too many balls back at us,” Ainsworth said. “They made a lot of hitting errors.”
The win over West Las Vegas was preceded Oct. 22 by a district victory — 25-17, 25-20, 25-7 — over Santa Fe Indian School. Trujillo led the Elkettes and recorded over 20 kills.
The Elkettes have not loss to a New Mexico team all season. Their only loss came Oct. 12 in a 3-0 defeat by Monument Valley, Ariz., in the Farmington Invitational.
That loss proved to be inspirational for the 5-foot-10-inch Trujillo, who gave up five inches to Monument Valley’s middle hitter.
“She saw their middle never tipped the ball,” Ainsworth said. “Ever since, Kira has understood and started to rip the ball.”
The Elkettes host St. Michaels Thursday (10/29). The Horsemen own the only district victory over Pojoaque since 2005, defeating the Elkettes in the 2007 District 2AAA championship game. This year, St. Michaels is 4-4 in district play and fighting for third place and a likely state tournament berth.
The St, Michaels match will be a “Dig Pink” match for the Elkettes. The team will wear pink and the proceeds from the match will go to breast cancer research. Melissa Ainsworth, Brian’s wife and Pojoaque’s assistant coach, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I know they fill the gym for basketball games between St. Michaels and Pojoaque,” Ainsworth said. “I think the community will come out for a good cause.
Pojoaque will wrap up the regular season against Raton Saturday.