The Questa Ladycats broke many records this year, ending the regular season with 21 wins and 2 sole losses. They ended district playoffs with 9 wins and 1 loss. The girls were seeded sixth in the State Playoffs, a record high placement for the Questa volleyball program.
In the State Playoff Tournament, the team played Santa Rosa in the first match on Thursday, November 14 at noon. They won match one, 25-18. Match two also went to the Ladycats with a 27-25 set. In match three, Santa Rosa ran on a six-point advantage, winning the set with a close 25-23. Questa ultimately finished the game, winning the fourth set 25-21.
On that same day, the Ladycats played their second game against Mesilla Valley at 4 p.m. “We spent the whole day at the gym that day; it was such a long day… we had left Questa at seven in the morning,” head coach Michelle Garcia Spears says.
The Ladycats moved forward ready to take on Mesilla Valley. “The girls on Mesilla Valley were really tall, and it was intimidating, but the girls didn’t shy away. They pushed forward, putting their best foot forward,” Garcia Spears says.
In the match against Mesilla Valley, the Ladycats fell short in all three sets. “I was so proud of their effort. In set two, the score was 28-26. That was a close set, and I am so proud of them,” Garcia Spears says.
The tournament was a modified double elimination tournament. The Ladycats were pushed on to play Raton after their second loss. It was Raton’s first loss. The double elimination game was held Friday, November 15 at 8 a.m.
Raton took the first set 25-21. The second set was owned by Questa 25-19. Raton took set three, 25-17 and then, Raton took set four, 25-19.
When asked if the exhaustion from traveling to Rio Rancho, then playing two games on the same day, immediately followed by an early game on Friday may have contributed to the players’ performance, the coach responded, “I am not going to make excuses for not getting as far as we would’ve liked. It is what it is, and we adapted to the situation as best as we could. We were exhausted and it was a lot, but I am happy knowing we did our absolute best.”
While the Ladycats didn’t bring home a state title, they showed up every single game, giving their best. The team ended the season with three all district players, to include #2 Alyana Leon, #11 Delilah Rael, and #25 Alexis Brown. They also had two all-district honorable mentions, to include #13 Alianna Gonzalez and #20 Kiara Arellano.
“I am bittersweet about the seven seniors we’re losing. I had only been with them for two years as their coach, but I will miss them all dearly. We had a very special bond. I am not terribly worried because we have a strong future. Varsity has been working with JV closely and we know they will fill those shoes,” Garcia Spears says.
We caught up with a few of the seniors to hear their thoughts on closing the book to this phenomenal chapter of their high school volleyball career.
Senior Delilah Rael notes, “This season was the best; all the ups and downs shaped us into a team we were. Being able to play with these girls was one of the best things in the world. The endless memories on and off the court are the moments that will never be forgotten.”
“As I reflect on the last season, I feel nothing but gratitude,” Alyana Leon says. “I am grateful for my teammates, my coaches, opponents, community members, and refs—but most importantly, I am grateful for the game. Playing with this team made me a better person and taught me so much. It’s bittersweet, finishing the season, but I couldn’t be happier or prouder of my teammates. I am so excited to see the future of the volleyball program,”
Senior Aliyah Santistevan says, “It was a fun run while it lasted,” and senior Kiara Arellano says “I am definitely going to miss this year and volleyball overall. I want to thank fans, coaches, teammates, and everyone who helped us this season. I am going to miss every single one of my teammates. I don’t know what I am going to do without this sport. My fellow seniors have been playing together since we were small and I wouldn’t trade crying with my girls on the court when the last point hits for anything in the world.”
Coach Garcia Spears says she is sincerely grateful for the support from the Questa community. “I just need to thank all the Questa fans! The first time we played at the state playoffs we had such an incredible crowd. Many people who are from Questa and now live in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho showed up to support our girls. Additionally, a lot of our Questa fans traveled to the game to support us. That really meant a lot to us, and I am so grateful.”
