Josh Franklin, The Roswell Daily Record—The Goddard Rockets are set to take on a familiar foe in Artesia this afternoon in the second round of the NMAA Class 4A volleyball state tournament.
The third-seeded Rockets enter the matchup following a dominant 20-3 regular season and a District 4-4A championship with a perfect 6-0 district record. Goddard swept all three meetings with the Bulldogs this season.
No. 6 seed Artesia advanced with a 3-1 win over Santa Teresa earlier today.
Key Rockets to watch are outside hitters Payton Abalos and Olivia Riffell, along with libero Ellie Graves.
Abalos powered the Rockets’ attack with 346 kills during the regular season, ranking third in the state. She leads Goddard in total kills and kills per set (4.9).
Riffell, Abalos’ partner in crime, has her name all over the team’s statistical leaderboard. She leads the Rockets in hitting percentage (.302), serving aces (56) and aces per set (0.8), while adding 304 kills, good for 11th in the state.
Graves has been a defensive anchor, leading Goddard in receptions (379), digs (256) and digs per set (3.7).
First serve is set for 4 p.m. at the Rio Rancho Event Center.
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