Hannah Bergemann and Dani Trellue block a spike attempt by Santana Martinez. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Ashley Hammond spike-kills a ball over Leah May and Santana Martinez in the first set, she had 6 kills for the match. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

By MIKE COTE
Sports
Los Alamos Daily Post

Except for a hiccup late in the first set, the Los Alamos Hilltopper volleyball team had little trouble with
the struggling Espanola Valley Sundevils.

Los Alamos won in three sets Tuesday night at Edward Medina Gymnasium. In the first set, however, the
Hilltoppers let an 11-point lead slip all the way to 3 points before putting that set away, 25-19.

The other two sets were won handily by Los Alamos, which picked those up 25-11, 25-13 to score a
victory in its District 2-4A opener. That match was broadcast on the Los Alamos Daily Post’s YouTube
channel.

Michelle Macias earned 14 spike kills against the Sundevils (2-13 overall, 0-1 in district), who simply had
no answer for the 5-foot-10 senior. Rarely were the Sundevils even able to put up much of a block
against her, and she enjoyed open looks all evening.

Ashley Hammond finished with 6 spike kills for Los Alamos (10-4, 1-0), which has now won five straight
contests.

The Hilltoppers will continue district play Oct. 11 when they host Taos.

Maddie Owen digs a ball in the second set as Mairen Hoch backs her up. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Mairen Hoch and Callie Goda block a spike attempt by Mercedes Gonzales in the 3rd set. Callie had 7 blocks for the match. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Arianna Martinez bumps the ball into play in the 3rd set as Shyanne Garcia backs her up. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com