Goddard volleyball head coach Andy Luikens made an immediate statement in his first season in 2025, leading the Rockets to a 23-3 record and a 6-0 mark in District 4-4A.
The season ended one step short of the state championship match, with Goddard falling to Albuquerque Academy in straight sets in the state semifinals, 16-25, 22-25, 16-25.
But the loss did little to diminish Luikens’ belief in his team’s potential. A year later, the Rockets are again positioning themselves for a postseason run, with a 15-3 record after their first district game. Goddard defeated Lovington in straight sets, 25-6, 25-7, 25-15, on the road Thursday, Oct. 15, to open district play 1-0.
“The girls are playing well and I’m happy with their progress,” Luikens said. “We’ve worked hard in non-district play to get ready for district and the state playoffs. I think we’re on the right track.”
Leading the way are outside hitters Payton Abalos and Olivia Riffell, who emerged as two of Goddard’s most productive weapons. Abalos recorded 265 kills, 140 digs and 11 blocks in the first 18 games, while Riffell added 221 kills, 168 digs and six blocks.
Setter Landry Brown, middle hitter Liv Flores and libero Ellie Graves are also standout players, according to Luikens. Brown recorded 518 assists in the first 18 games, Flores added 11 blocks and Graves totaled 203 digs.
“They’ve all been doing a good job season and keep progressing,” Luikens said. “They also always look to improve, which is great to see.”
Goddard opened the season 12-1, with its lone loss coming against Las Cruces (13-4, 3-0 District 3-5A) on the road Sept. 5. The Rockets lost in straight sets, 15-25, 24-26, 23-25.
Goddard then won nine consecutive matches before facing a pair of measuring-stick opponents in St. Pius X (11-4, 4-0 District 5-4A) and Albuquerque Academy (18-0, 3-0 District 6-4A) in consecutive road matches Oct. 1-2.
The two programs met in last season’s Class 4A state championship match, with St. Pius X winning in straight sets, 27-25, 25-23, 25-18.
The Rockets fell to St. Pius X in four sets, 25-19, 18-25, 17-25, 21-25, before losing to Albuquerque Academy in straight sets, 16-25, 14-25, 21-25.
Rather than view those setbacks as cause for concern, Luikens sees them as valuable preparation for the challenges awaiting in the state tournament.
“Albuquerque Academy knocked us out in the semis last year and they didn’t graduate one person, so they’re an experienced team,” Luikens said. “St. Pius X is a similar team to us, so I can’t wait to see how we stack up against them again come playoff time.”
Goddard responded with victories in its final two non-district matches. The Rockets swept Carlsbad (8-8, 1-1 District 4-5A) on the road Oct. 6, winning 25-17, 25-21, 25-18, before defeating crosstown rival Roswell (6-13, 0-2 District 4-5A) on the road Oct. 8, 25-23, 25-20, 25-11.
Now the focus is district play, where Goddard faces Artesia (13-5, 1-0), Portales (11-6, 0-1) and Lovington (2-13, 0-1) twice.
Marshall Mecham can be reached at (915) 232-1793 or on X @mecham_marshall. Mecham serves with the New Mexico Local News Fellowship, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across the state. Learn more at www.newmexicolocalnewsfellowships.org.
