LAS VEGAS, N.M./PUEBLO, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University volleyball team will hit the road this weekend as they will play at New Mexico Highlands and CSU-Pueblo.


In the first matchup, the Lady Mustangs (9-3, 2-2 RMAC) will face New Mexico Highlands at 7 p.m. on Friday. The Cowgirls have lost two straight matches, having dropped a 3-1 decision to CSU-Pueblo this past Tuesday and then a tough 3-2 setback against Adams State, with both matches coming on the road. NMHU (7-7, 1-4 RMAC) defeated Western State, 3-0, on the road for their conference victory. They are 3-3 at home so far this season.
NMHU is led by Alicia Moreno and Darian Mullen as the two have over 100 kills, with Moreno tallying 170 and Mullen with 138. Tarissa Mellin and Lexis Satele lead the team in assists with Mellin dishing out 275 and 256 for Satele. Jessica Piper has 216 digs to lead the team, while Mullen has 34 total blocks.
WNMU swept New Mexico Highlands last year, winning both matches by scores of 3-0. Since 2006, WNMU has swept the season series with the Cowgirls each year.


On Saturday night, WNMU will face the ThunderWolves of CSU-Pueblo at 7 p.m. The ThunderWolves have been on a solid roll to start the RMAC slate, winning four of five defeating Fort Lewis and Colorado Mesa (both in five), Western State and New Mexico Highlands. Their lone loss came at Adams State, 3-0. CSU-Pueblo is 7-7 overall and 6-1 at home. Morgan Wilkening leads in kills with 145, followed by 138 from Brianna Bryant. Kacy Griffin is the main passer, having dished out 519 assists. Alex Sansavera has 177 digs, while Alex Winkler and Bryant have 46 block assists each. WNMU swept CSU-Pueblo last year winning both matches by scores of 3-1. The teams split the series in 2011, with each winning on their home floors.


The Lady Mustangs have split their last four matches, defeating Western State and Fort Lewis, while falling to Adams State and Colorado Mesa. WNMU is led offensively by Bobbi Bayer (Granby, CO/Eddyville Blakesburg ) who has 141 kills, followed by 132 from Angelina Pulu (Long Beach, CA/Robert A. Millikan High School). Alyssa Meihack (Fallon, NV/Churchill County High School) is just under 500 assists posting 493, while defensively Pulu leads in digs with 180. Meihack (138) and Chyler Imai (Kapaau, HI/Kohala) (114) also have over 100 digs. Kaysee Pilgrim (Phoenix, AZ/Barry Goldwater) has 37 total blocks, while Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom) leads in solo blocks with 10.