Font ResizeFighting to the distance, the Lady Bobcats clawed out a upset win Thursday night to advance to the District 1-3A championship game in Shiprock on Saturday.
Bloomfield went to Wingate and beat the Lady Bears in five games (16-25, 25-22, 25-16, 12-25, 15-10) to secure a chance to win the district tournament.
"This group of girls fought back and played smart," said Bloomfield head coach Tami Bekes after the big win. " We pulled off a win and I couldn't be any more proud of them."
After starting slow in the opening set, the Lady Bobcats found a rhythm, Bekes said.
"We made a few mental mistakes, but we never gave up," she said.
Trinity Mayo led the way with 13 kills while Kallan Pablo had 10.
Haili Bekes had 33 assists in the match.
In this year's previous two meetings between Bloomfield and Shiprock, the Lady Chieftains have won both in five games.
Coaches know how hard it is to beat a team three times in one season.
"I am sure they are going to make us earn it," said Shiprock head coach Rae Collins. "It is not really a victory unless you earn it. I know our girls are pumped up. We have been preparing all week for this game."
Shiprock's narrow margin of victory for in each game gives Bekes confidence her team can pull off the win.
"We are playing well at the right time in the season," Bekes said. "It would be awesome to win. The girls have it in the to do it. It will be a great match."
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Farmington came out a bit tight in the District 1-4A tournament semifinal game, but well-rounded play propelled the Lady Scorpions to a four-game victory against Aztec.
The Lady Scorps beat the Lady Tigers 25-14 and 25-18 in the first two sets before Aztec rallied to win the third 25-23. But Farmington brought an end to Aztec's season with a 25-19 win in the fourth.
"The girls were anxious about being in the district title game and trying to move up to play PV," said FHS head coach Dan Hickman. "Aztec played loose and very well. We anticipated after watching them play in Kirtland on Tuesday."
Sarah Long led Farmington with 13 kills, but Hickman was impressed with Summer Otero who stepped up with 12 kills.
"Otero has averaged only two kills all year. She really came to life for me," he said.
Hickman was also excited about the play of Connie Taylor.
"She is a serving specialist and did very well on the back line," Hickman said.
Captain Marisa Kakos also had nine kills in the match while Lydia Byrom chipped in with eight.
At 13-8 overall, Hickman is confident the Lady Scorps will earn a spot in the 12-team state tournament, but he knows even stealing a game against No. 1 Piedra Vista on Saturday could help his team's ranking.
"Who wouldn't love to steal a match or even a set away from PV? We used to fear Katie Hegarty, but we are beyond that now," Hickman said. "We look at PV as a whole team now and not just as one person. If we can even steal a game it would be cool to see what could happen. You never know
