10-08-2024 11:42pm

New Mexico School for the Deaf Hosted the Spikeout Volleyball Tournament

Chris Edwards Editor

The New Mexico School for the Deaf located at 1060 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, New Mexico hosted the Spikeout Volleyball Tournament with Deaf programs from all around the country.

The Maryland School of the Deaf Orioles won the title at New Mexico School for the Deaf in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Saturday, topping the host team 25-13, 17-25, 15-13 in the championship game.

This special event included teams from California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, and Texas. “It’s been our first year participating and so far, it’s been amazing,” said New Mexico School for the Deaf volleyball coach Dominic Harrison, through an interpreter. “It’s an honor for NMSD to be in this tournament and represent New Mexico.

On Saturday, it was close, but the Maryland School for the Deaf Orioles sidestepped the New Mexico School for the Deaf Roadrunners for a 2-1 victory.

Maryland School for the Deaf has been performing well recently as they've won seven of their last nine games, which provided a nice bump to their 17-5-2 record this season. As for New Mexico School for the Deaf, the loss snapped their winning streak at eight games and leaves them with a 8-1 record.

Maryland School for the Deaf wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next match, a 2-1 win against Indiana School for the Deaf on the 5th. As for New Mexico School for the Deaf, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 2-1 victory against Florida School for the Deaf & Blind on the 5th.

The Spikeout Tournament is an annual event that’s been around since 1999. “I remember watching Spikeout when I was in high school in Texas,” said Harrison. “Now to be here as a coach and participant is a little overwhelming.”

“Spikeout has always been with the largest Deaf schools, and this is the first time, as a small school, we are joining this level of competition and I think it’s going to really make us step up our game,” said NMSD senior Angelique Quinonez, through an interpreter.

Deaf athletes break barriers and inspire others. The communication between the players and teams is different than other events during the season. “With all deaf teams, they can see what we’re signing, we have to try and keep it from them,” said Harrison. “Hearing teams don’t know what we’re saying to each other. How we communicate can be a tricky thing.”

“With public schools, we see them talking, but I can’t understand what their plan is, and I’m trying to track that, and it’s hard to tell what they’re going to do,” said Quinonez. “Against a Deaf school, we can understand each other, so it’s inspiring because you feel that connection.”

New Mexico School for the Deaf came into the tournament with a perfect 9-0 record. “I’m proud of this team,” said Quinonez. “Some people couldn’t even play when they first joined and we’ve grown our skills and we have massively improved, so fast.”

Congratulations to hese great athletes from across the nation for participating.