Bragging Rights on the Line as East Mountain and Moriarty Meet

MORIARTY, N.M. — A pair of closely matched East Mountain area rivals will collide Tuesday night when the East Mountain High School volleyball team travels down the pass to take on the Moriarty Pintos.

Varsity action is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Moriarty High School, preceded by the C-team matchup at 4 p.m. and junior varsity at 5 p.m.

The neighboring programs enter the non-district tilt separated by just two spots in the statewide rankings and looking to build early-season momentum. East Mountain (4-3), ranked No. 75 in New Mexico, arrives with a potent offensive attack led by junior outside hitter Calla DiMaio, who is averaging 3.0 kills per set while racking up 34 aces through seven matches.

At the net, the Timberwolves will look to freshman Skylar Graff (23 total blocks) and sophomore hitter Evelyn Salberg (.130 hitting percentage) to control tempo, while sophomore libero Henley Hatley anchors the back row with a team-leading 5.2 digs per set.

Moriarty (4-4), holding the No. 77 statewide ranking, looks to defend home court following an up-and-down stretch that included a 3-1 victory over Estancia. The Pintos lean heavily on senior Lilly Shoemate, who leads the attack at 2.1 kills per set, and junior middle Kendall Carpenter, who tops the team with a .151 hitting percentage and 19 blocks.

Defensively, senior libero Payten Butler paces Moriarty with 5.6 digs per set, while sophomore Kinlee Corr provides a steady weapon from the service line with a team-best 16 aces.

Tuesday’s meeting marks the final tune-up for both squads before entering the meat of their September tournament and non-district schedules.