Lady Buckaroos looks to rebound from slow season start this week

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The Monticello High School volleyball team opened the 2025 season with a rivalry matchup against Grand County in Monticello on Tuesday, August 19. It was a knock-down-drag-out affair that went down to the wire in all three sets.
Grand opened with a tight two-point win in set one, 25-23. The Lady Buckaroos rallied to take the second set into overtime, but were unable to overcome the Lady Red Devils offense in a 29-27 final.
Monticello battled hard in the third set, but Grand held off the home squad 25-20 to take a straight-sets victory that was a lot closer than it looks in the final result.
On Friday, August 22 the Lady Bucks welcomed Montezuma-Cortez to the MHS gymnasium for their second game of the season. It was the season opener for the Lady Panthers.
Monticello stumbled a bit getting out of the gate, suffering a 25-8 loss in set one. They recovered to make set two closer, but suffered a 25-21 loss.
In the third and final frame Montezuma-Cortez distanced the Lady Buckaroos 25-18 to close out the match in straight sets.
Despite the tough start the Monticello girls are determined to keep battling and keep improving under new head coach Jana Sandefur.
They will welcome another local rival to Monticello in their third straight home match to start the season this week before the fall break.
Dove Creek has also endured a tough start, going 0-3 this past weekend at the Rangely Tournament. The two teams will square off in the MHS gym for the first of two meetings this season on Thursday, August 28.