The turnaround of Spartan Volleyball

BERNALILLO — Last year, the Bernalillo Spartan volleyball team finished with a 2-21 record. Since 2015, the Spartans have only won 24 matches and lost 148. In that span, their most successful season came in 2015, when they went 5-14.

This year, things are different.

Currently, the Spartans sit with a 7-7 record with nine matches remaining in the season.

The Spartans are on pace to have their best record in more than a decade, and it's all thanks to the work and effort of the players, staff and first-year head coach Ariana Aragón-Borg.

“We are extremely excited for the direction our program is going. We are changing the culture of the program to one that is relentless, dynamic and never satisfied. We still have work to do, but our journey is far from over,” Aragón-Borg said.

This off-season was all about reps, reps, reps. The Spartan volleyball team could be seen at other high schools' volleyball camps refining their skills. Aragón-Borg brought in collegiate coaches from Trinidad State College to help her squad improve their game.

Their work has paid off and has led to seven wins, including two sweeps.

The team is led by star sophomore player — and captain — Rayann Downing, who is impossible to miss when watching a volleyball set. She is confident, vocal and a talented volleyball player.

Other impressive players include juniors Leandra Valencia and Savannah Townsend, who lead the team in kills; both have surpassed 80.

Senior Haley Armijo, the libero, is another important piece of the puzzle as a stud defender and a force as a defensive specialist.

The season is not over just yet, but the Spartan volleyball program is on the right path and find itself in state contention in the final stretch of the season.

The Spartans will look for win number eight in a road matchup against Shiprock (7-5) Oct. 12.