State VB Day One: Storm win big, Rams pull off heroic comeback

RIO RANCHO — With temporary hardwood laid out and the constant sound of referee whistles filling the air at Rio Rancho Events Center, it was officially the start of the 2025 NMAA 5A State Tournament.

Just on day one, the Rio Rancho High Schools saw action in three matches. Here is how it all unfolded:

#9 Rio Rancho: 3, #8 Cibola: 2

Losing a heartbreaking second set to go down two sets to none, fans in attendance just about penciled in a loss next to Rio Rancho’s name in the double-elimination bracket.

Good thing it wasn’t Sharpie.

In one of the best matches of the tourney so far, the Rams pulled off three straight set wins to come back from down 0-2 to win in five over Cibola. (20-25, 24-26, 25-13, 25-23, 15-7)

After fumbling a 24-22 lead in set two, the Rams came out in set three with a purpose. Thanks to an emergence from Junior middle Paige Spolar, Rio Rancho got out to an 8-1 lead and ran away in the 25-13 set win.

Outside of Spolar, some impressive plays from names like Senior outside Julia Romero and Sophomore right side Addicyn Bishop added fuel to the fire in the Rams’ run.

In set four, Shayla Radosevich joined the party. The Senior right side tallied a few kills and a massive block towards the end of the set, bringing an energy that felt contagious on the Rio Rancho sideline.

On top of these contributors, Senior outside Jacey Mader and Senior middle blocker Briland Kienle added a healthy dose of front row kills to the mix.

While the Rams turned up the dial in the kill and block column, it was the plays not on the box score that aided Rio to a win. Bishop flying off the court and into some folding chairs to save a pass, Spolar and Radosevich both with amped-up yells after big plays.

These momentum-shifting moments made the difference in the dramatic finishes, including a two-point win in set four and a pull-away victory in the fifth set tiebreaker.

Once on the brink of an opening-round loss, the Rams found themselves staying in the winners’ bracket.

#3 Cleveland: 3, #11 Centennial: 0

It was a new venue and the usual outcome for Storm Volleyball. They opened up their 2025 state run at the RREC with a sweep over the Centennial Hawks.

Centennial, coming off an opening-round upset over #6 Santa Fe, was ready to play spoiler once again. Cleveland, coming off a bye, would not entertain the idea, besting the Hawks by double digits in two of the three winning sets (25-12, 25-17, 25-9).

Thursday’s win marks the Storm’s ninth sweep in their now 11-game winning streak.

Cleveland’s usual dominant senior duo, Azlynn Tittmann and Aaliyah Simpson, were firing on all cylinders. But it was actually the freshman middle, Lela Del Angel, who had the biggest highlight plays of the night.

Del Angel contributed some key kills and blocks, including a devastating stuff on a Centennial overpass. Along with this trio, Senior Miya Branaugh and Sophomore Mila Tittmann delivered up front in what ended up as an evening of front row fireworks.

Next up? A third meeting with one of the Storm’s biggest opponents. Cleveland will take on La Cueva in the quarterfinals on Friday night.

#9 Rio Rancho: 0, #1 Las Cruces 3

Rio Rancho’s afternoon heroics set up a meeting with the top-seed Bulldawgs. The Rams were buzzing, but they were running into a giant.

Las Cruces took the evening matchup in a straight-set sweep (25-18, 25-9, 25-11) over Rio to advance to the Friday quarterfinals.

The Rams put up a good fight early against the 23-0, state number-one ‘Dawgs in a 25-18 close first set. Rio’s persistent front row attack of Mader and Kienle, along with some carried-over energy, turned some heads in the opener.

But coming off a first-round bye, Las Cruces shook off the rust and went to work in set two.

The Bulldawgs dominated the rest of the way, riding a strong attack led by Senior outside Addison Massey. Rio had no answer for the future Kansas State Wildcat in the Las Cruces’ runaway victory.

With the ‘Dawgs advancing, the Rams will now head to the loser’s bracket for one last chance at staying in the tourney. Rio Rancho will face Organ Mountain on Friday afternoon in an elimination matchup.