Jv Match
Clayton 25 18 15
Raton 12 25 13
Varsity Match
Clayton 25 25 25
Raton 16 21 22
Raton hosted Clayton for their first district match and homecoming event Thursday afternoon evening in Tiger Gym.
In the JV match Raton was slow getting things going in the first game with clayton taking an early lead and staying in control. Game two however Raton kept it close and took the lead about half way through the game with strong play at the net and solid serves. Raton kept it up found the 25 point mark first over Clayton and threw the match into a third game.
Raton and Clayton played it back and forth with solid serves that each team had problems handling. When it was all done however Clayton had pulled out a 13-13 tie with a strong serve and a missed hit for a 15-13 win.
The Lady Tigers opened their district play against a slightly different style of play in the Clayton Yellowjackettes according the coach Tamara Johnson. Johnson indicated the girls were used to players with strong hard hits while the Clayton girls played a softer game. Raton had to adjust but when the match ended Raton fell short.
The second and third games were much tighter than the first game with Raton tying or even taking the lead briefly. Both teams had some problems with the service and getting in front of the ball. Several times Raton missed passes and failed to communicate well enough to keep things moving. In both game two and three Raton did keep it close with strong play by Kristina Jansen and Alina Pillmore at the net. Both girls have have proven solid blockers at the net.
Raton will be on the road again this weekend in Santa Fe for more tournament play.
