Halfway through the Escalante volleyball match, a new group of fans came storming in the door.
The middle school football game, happening on the nearby field, had ended, and now everyone watching that game made their way into the gymnasium.
Suddenly, a huge crowd was cheering for the Lady Lobos, and imitating their serves to attempt to “whoosh” a little more behind the ball.
“The last few games, it was so quiet,” said junior Alani Yeahquo. “All of a sudden, it just burst.”
That boost helped the Escalante Lobos (3-3) take down Dulce (1-5) in straight sets in a home volleyball match on Tuesday. Escalante won the match 25-20, 27-25, 25-17, as they look to learn and improve through the year.
“The girls have come together, and have risen up to challenges,” said first-year coach Mikaela Martinez. “We’re just on the uphill climb right now.”
The Lady Lobos had a big senior class with stars leave the program last year, and Martinez took over as the new coach. The new senior-led group is learning more and more as the year goes on.
Escalante is led by first-year setter Aubrey Valdez.
“She’s doing an awesome job in that role, and just taking on that challenge of being a setter, and growing every day,” Martinez said.
In her senior year, Valdez is learning the position mostly from scratch. Before her, Escalante had Emma Maestas, who earned all-state honors and was a starter for multiple years.
“I’m open to it, and I’m willing to learn,” Valdez said. “It’s been a process. I’m just trying my hardest to get every set that I can get.”
Hannah Lopez had six kills in the match; Ashley Gilmore, Yeahquo had five. Yeahquo and Jayden Macias both posted seven aces. And Gilmore had four blocks, all in the third set. Adryana Ulibarri also had nine assists for the Lobos, while Valdez had eight.
For Dulce, Mattison Vigil led the team with 13 assists. Bailey Vigil had seven kills.
The Lobos were strong from the service line with 23 aces, though they also struggled at times, including seven service errors in the second set.
The two teams traded points evenly for much of the first set. Dulce took an 18-15 lead, but Escalante rallied for five straight points, then won three more, and ultimately won the set 25-20.
For the second set, Escalante took a lead with seven straight points early, but Dulce fought back. The Hawks staved off set point and went up 25-24, then the Lobos won three in a row to win the set 27-25.
In the third set, now with a crowd support, the Lobos looked much more comfortable. They led 10-5 early, then 16-10, and closed it out at 25-17.
The Lady Lobos next play on Saturday at Bloomfield (3-3), while the Hawks have a home match on Sept. 18 against Jemez Valley (0-4).
“I just expect to take every game one game at a time,” Martinez said. “And for them just to focus on small goals, that’s it.”