Press "Enter" to skip to content

Lady Rattlers Take District Match in Four Over Lady Tigers

October 16, 2026

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi Media

Raton hosted Tucumcari for a district match in Tiger Gym Thursday afternoon and Tucumcari took home the win in both the JV and Varsity matches.

In game one of the JV match Raton took the lead after a tie at two. A tie game at five where Tucumcari took the lead and held on for the 25-20 win. Game two saw Tucumcari take the lead after a tie game at three. At one point Tucumcari was up 20-11 before Raton battled back but to little to late as the Lady Rattlers took the win.

S1 S2 Wins
Tucumcari 25 25 2
Raton 20 18 0

Between the JV and Varsity matches Mrs. Linda Ortiz was honored for her 50 years of service to the Raton Public School system and as a Cheer Coach for 30 years. Ortiz and her cheer teams brought home several state titles. Since her retirement from cheer coaching all of the cheer coaches for Raton High have been former Ortiz cheerleaders. Ortiz noted after the honors that she was so proud that her former cheerleaders have taken on the role of coach. Ortiz has touched the lives of so many students over the years and many of the people in the gym were former students who now have teenagers playing and cheering that she too has taught. (The Ceremony is at the beginning of the Varsity Game Video)

After the short ceremony the varsity girls took the court and in game one Tucumcari took the early lead while Raton battled back to tie game at nine. From there it was a close game with long volleys and strong play at the net however Tucumcari managed to stay ahead for the win.

Gamer two saw Raton take the early lead and hold on to a tie at six. At that point Tucumcari took the lead and went up 20-13. They maintained the lead only allowing Raton to score three more points for the win.

Game three saw a turnaround as Raton took the lead and allowed a tie game at five and again at 10. From there Raton went up by five and maintained the lead for a 25-20 win. Thet forced the match into game four where Raton took the early lead but soon fell behind but kept the score close never getting more three points down until Tucumcari pulled out 19-14 and allowing only two more Raton scores before the 25-16 win.

S1 S2 S3 S4 Wins
Tucumcari 25 25 20 25 3
Raton 20 16 25 16 1

.

Superintendent Kristi Medina spoke to the crowd Thursday evening inTiger Gym about the 50 years of service Linda Ortiz gave to the Raton School system.
Flanked by many of her own cheerleaders Linda Ortiz was recognized Thursday evening inTiger Gym for the 50 years of service to the Raton Public Schools.
Savannah Brashear puts the ball over the net as Tucumcari’s Athena Narvaez and Jaelyn Smith go up for the block during the JV game in Tiger Gym Thursday evening.
Lady Rattler Cambree Benavidez makes the hit over the net as Ava Intveld goes up for the block Thursday evening in Tiger Gym during the district volleyball match.
Ava Intveld and Ashlynn Benavidez meet at the net as Intveld sends the ball over the net and Benavidez goes up for the block Thursday evening.
1 of 2 It’s a tip up as Raton’s Mezzi Fanelli and Ava Intveld go up against Cambree Benavidez during the district match in Tiger Gym Thursday evening.
2 of 2 It’s a tip up as Raton’s Mezzi Fanelli and Ava Intveld go up against Cambree Benavidez during the district match in Tiger Gym Thursday evening.
Cambree Benavidez hit goes into the net and bounces over as Ava Intveld and Jaylynn Quintana were ready for the block during the district match in Tiger Gym Thursday evening.
Mezzi Fanelli goes up for the block Thursday evening during the district match in Tiger Gym.
Lady Rattler Jaelyn Stephenson goes up for the block as Ariana Perez makes the hit over the net Thursday evening in Tiger Gym during the district volleyball match.
Tucumcari’s Brooklynn Benavidez tips the ball over the net as Ava Intveld works for the block Thursday evening in Tiger Gym.

Published in Sports

More from SportsMore posts in Sports »

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Enchanted Air Radio 575-445-3652

©2005-2026 KRTN Enchanted Air Radio