The Escalante Lady Lobos are used to heartbreak at this point.
It started in spring 2021, when their basketball season was cut short days before the state tournament due to a COVID-19 outbreak, denying the team a chance to prove themselves. In volleyball season, with a largely similar roster that fall, they lost in the state tournament in a more than two-hour-long heartbreak just shy of the semifinals. Then, in basketball season, they lost the state final in the last minute.
“I think it motivated all of them,” said coach Kathleen Salazar-Valdez. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we have this year. A lot of my returners feel how it is to win, and to be at state, and to be at that level.”
But players on the team said that finish is not on their minds, and they are looking forward to a new season.
Escalante will look to rebound and rebuild headed into volleyball season with another chance to capitalize on the school’s talent and skill level.
Salazar-Valdez said the multi-spot athletes (most of the team) worked with the new basketball coach through June, and started with volleyball in July.
The Lady Lobos finished last year 21-5. They swept through district play while losing just one set.
The Lobos won two state tournament matches before falling in an extended thriller to Capitan. They and Capitan were the only teams that won a single set off eventual state champion Laguna-Acoma at the tournament.
But a large core from that team graduated, including front-row hitters Reina Terrazas and Kalese Torrez, with Torrez now playing for Trinidad State Junior College. Escalante also lost first-team all-state libero Sherydan Salazar.
“They were powerful,” Salazar-Valdez said. “They made the team complete.”
After losing five seniors and a majority of starters, just a handful of players return from last year.
The core returnees are setter Emma Maestas and outside hitter Brycelyn Martinez, both of whom were named second-team all-state last year, and they figure to take on bigger roles as team leaders. They are more than capable on the court, with Martinez expected to start hitting from the back row.
“It’s kind of scary,” Maestas said. “It’s my last year, I just want to succeed.”
Katelyn Hinds will take on a bigger role in the back row, as will junior Jayden Macias.
Impressive newcomers to the team include Hannah Lopez and Ashley Gilmore, good jumpers and strong hitters who will take on big roles.
“It won’t be the same, but we can still do it,” Martinez said. “I think we’re all working together and doing good.
Last year, second place was a close race in District 5-2A while Escalante lapped the field and four other teams were between 5-4 and 4-6. It’s anyone’s guess as to who might step up and challenge the Lady Lobos.
“I don’t put any team out,” Salazar-Valdez said. “When you start district time, that’s a whole new season.”
Escalante’s first game is at Tohatchi on Saturday.