Storm, Rams volleyball enter Bracket Play at Metro Championship

ALBUQUERQUE —- The Pool Play stage of the 2024 Volleyball Metro Championships started and ended yesterday and the seeding is all set for Bracket Play.

Match 1 of the tournament featured a hometown rivalry battle between Cleveland and Rio Rancho High School. The Storm won both sets, 17-25, 25-27.

It took the Rams a second to warm up, and the Storm front overpowered RRHS in the first set. But Rio nearly took the second set, matching CHS’s Ceci Vance and Azlynn Tittmann shot-for-shot. Rams outside hitters Keyara Haywood and Kyli Burgett used their height to frustrate the Storm, but a late match comeback saw CHS go from down by three to winning by two (two points is necessary for a win in volleyball. However, the Metro Tournament caps all matches at 27 points.)

The Cleveland Storm finished in 2nd place in Pool B and secured a spot in the “Gold Bracket” - the top eight teams after Pool Play go to the Gold Bracket. CHS finished 5-1 in Pool Play, which is divided into four pools of four teams each who play one another in a two-set Round Robin format.

Their one loss came to the Abq. High Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs nearly toppled CHS in the opening set of the volleyball season (CHS 3, Abq. High 0, Aug. 27, 2024) and they seem to have finally gotten over the hump. Abq. High overwhelmed Cleveland in the first set, winning 25-18. CHS returned the favor with a 25-18 victory of their own in the second set.

Abq. High also went 5-1 but won Pool B on point differential.

The Cleveland Storm start Bracket Play facing off against St. Pius, who went undefeated across all sets in Pool D (the only team to post a 6-0 record.) CHS vs Pius kicks off Thursday at 7 p.m. at Eldorado High School.

The Rams finished in 3rd place in Pool B with a 2-4 Pool Play record and will enter the Silver Bracket. After nearly splitting the two sets with Cleveland, Coach Toby Manzanares’ crew got swept by the surging Bulldogs but rebounded by taking both sets against host school Valley.

RRHS opens Bracket Play against West Mesa who has struggled recently despite a hot start to the season. The match takes place Thursday at 5 p.m. at Sandia High School.

The Rams will look to make their presence felt with a strong showing in Bracket play. A lot will depend on how the power holds up at the net and if they can get in their rhythm.

For Cleveland, they have a chance to win the whole thing and establish themselves as the top team in the state after losses to the two top contenders-La Cueva and Las Cruces-pushed the Storm to #3 in the Max Prep rankings.

Check nmact.org for full scheduling and location details. Visit rrobserver.com for continuing coverage.

Pool Play Results – Pool B

At Valley High School, Sept. 10, 2024

Match # Match Set 1 Set 2

Match 1 RRHS vs CHS 17-25 25-27

Match 2 AHS vs VHS 25-15 25-8

Match 3 RRHS vs VHS 25-13 25-21

Match 4 CHS vs AHS 18-25 25-18

Match 5 VHS vs CHS 13-25 14-25

Match 6 RRHS vs AHS 19-25 22-25

*Match winners in bold. No bold for draws.