SANFORD – The Sanford High School volleyball team may have defeated Monte Vista in three straight sets, but it was not an easy win as the Pirates battled the Mustangs hard.

The scores were 25-18, 25-18 and 25-18.

“It’s always a battle,” said Sanford coach Melissa Faucette. “Always a battle in volleyball.”

“I’m extremely pleased with them,” said Monte Vista coach Monica Hinds. “Those girls have fought all season so far and they’re fighters. They’re going to continue to come back and we’re going to play them again at the end of the season and do well.”

Sanford started fast by scoring the first four points of the first set. However, Monte Vista came back to tie the score at 6-6.

The Mustangs regained the lead at 8-6, however, the Pirates rallied to take their first lead of the match at 9-8.

Monte Vista increased the lead to 12-11 before Sanford ran off five consecutive points to take a 15-12 lead. The Pirates closed to within 16-15, but the Mustangs scored six unanswered points for a 22-15 advantage.

Monte Vista narrowed the deficit to 22-18, but Sanford scored the final three points for a 25-18 win.

Sanford took an 8-3 lead to open the second set, but Monte Vista reduced the margin to 10-7. The Mustangs then scored five straight points, including two aces by Rose Schwartz, to increase the lead to 15-7.

The Pirates closed to within 16-11 before the Mustangs scored four in a row for a 20-11 advantage.

Monte Vista reduced its deficit to 21-15, however. Sanford scored three straight for a 24-15 lead. The Pirates got as close as 24-18, but Schwartz scored the final points for a 25-18 Sanford win.

The Mustangs took a 4-1 lead to open the third set, and eventually increased the lead to 11-4. But the Pirates went on an 8-0 run to take a 12-11 lead.

Sanford responded with four straight points, but Monte Vista scored three in a row to tie the score at 15-15.

Sanford finished strong by scoring 10 of the final 13 points. For a 25-18 win.

Avery Koenig led the Sanford offense with 33 assists. Bella Peterson and Claire Crowther were the top hitters with 15 kills apiece. Schwartz led in aces with five and Brinlyn Smith had two,

Evie Hinds had 13 assists to lead the Monte Vista offense. Madison Henderhan was the top hitter with eight kills, followed by Regan Futrell with five. Abbi Ortega and Janessa Marquez each had one ace.

Sanford (2-0, 1-1) will travel to Pagosa Springs on Saturday. The first match begins at 11 a.m.

“It will be a big game over there too.”

Monte Vista (2-2, 0-1) will play at Buena Vista on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

“It will be another tough one,” coach Hinds said. “We’re going to come out and have a lot of fun. That’s our goal this year.