MOSCA – The Del Norte High School volleyball team had a relatively easy win in the first set of its match against Sangre de Cristo Thursday at the Thunderbirds’ gym. But Sangre battled the Tigers in the remaining two sets.

The scores were 25-13, 25-23 and 25-17.

“We put some young kids on the court to give them some playing time,” said Del Norte coach Chance Canty. “We have to learn the hard way sometime.”

“We started out slow,” said Sangre coach Chad Skinner. “We’re a young team and we have a rebuilding year, so this team is learning to work together. We really did come back in the second and third sets and they played really well. So I’m proud of those girls.”

The teams traded side outs to open the first set, but Del Norte scored four straight points for a 5-2 lead. After a brief Sangre side out, the Tigers went on an 8-2 run to increase their lead to 13-5.

The Thunderbirds closed their deficit to 13-8, but the Tigers scored four in a row for a 17-8 advantage.

Sangre reduced the lead to 19-12, but Del Norte scored six of the final seven points to take the first set 25-13.

The Thunderbirds scored the first point of the second set, but the Tigers scored seven consecutive points to take a 7-1 lead. Sangre had a brief side out before Del Norte pushed the lead to 10-2.

The Thunderbirds scored four consecutive points to cut the margin to 10-6. But the Tigers ran off nine unanswered points for a 19-6 lead,

Sangre then mounted a comeback as it outscored Del Norte 9-3 to close within 22-15. Del Norte increased the lead to 24-15, but the Thunderbirds had an 8-0 rally to close within 24-23.

Autumn Gallegos then slammed a kill to give the Tigers a 25-23 victory.

Del Norte scored the first two points of the third set, but Sangre tied the score at 2-2. The Tigers scored two more points for a 4-2 lead.

The teams then traded the next seven side outs before Del Norte went on a 12-6 run to increase the lead to 19-10.

Sangre scored two straight points, but Del Norte answered with three in a row. The Thunderbirds then scored four consecutive points.

The Tigers scored three of the final four points to take the win at 25-17.

Naylie Velasquez led the Tigers with 24 assists, and Caleigh Sierra had 14. Emma Parra led the hitting game with 12 kills, followed by Makenzie Consaul with eight, Brynley Brown with seven, and Gallegos, Ady Ruybal and Addie Roepke each with six.

Del Norte had four service aces with Sierra leading with two. Makenzie Consaul and Velasquez each had one.

Desarey Ojeda led the Thunderbirds with 12 assists. Belle Beiriger led the Sangre hitters with 11 kills.

Del Norte (8-4, 2-1) will host Buena Vista on Thursday.

“It will be a battle next Thursday,” Canty said. “It will be a fun one to be a part of.”

Sangre de Cristo (6-10, 3-1) will host Custer County today.

“They look pretty decent,” Skinner said. “It should be a good competition.”