Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University volleyball team continued their dominance over New Mexico Highlands University Friday night as they cruised to a 3-0 victory (25-21, 25-21, 25-19) in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


The first set was close until WNMU (10-3, 3-2 RMAC) broke open a 13-all tie with the next three points that were scored by a kill from Kaysee Pilgrim (Phoenix, AZ/Barry Goldwater) and a pair of NMHU (7-8, 1-5 RMAC) errors. The lead stretched to five, 22-17, on a double-block by Bobbi Bayer (Granby, CO/Eddyville Blakesburg ) and Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom). After moving to set point at 24-18, the Cowgirls would score the next three points before a kill from Bayer gave WNMU the set at 25-21. The Lady Mustangs posted a .302 hitting percentage in the opening set, connecting on 19 kills to just six errors in 43 chances.


In the second set, WNMU jumped out to a commanding 16-8 lead. Francquee Acosta (El Paso, TX/Americas), Angelina Pulu (Long Beach, CA/Robert A. Millikan High School), Pilgrim, Bayer and Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom) tallied kills during the run. Chyler Imai (Kapaau, HI/Kohala) also spun in a service ace and Pilgrim and Bayer combined for a double-block. Similar to the first set, NMHU would make a late run getting back to within three at 24-21 when a service error gave WNMU the set, 25-21, and a 2-0 set lead.


The third set would see the Lady Mustangs move out to a 14-9 advantage. NMHU would fight back to within two at 14-12 when a pair of errors moved the Lady Mustang lead back to four. The lead would reach seven at 23-16 on a kill by Bayer and a few points later, Lauren Buseman (Eagar, AZ/Round Valley) capped the set with a kill for the 25-19 set win and 3-0 match victory.


WNMU hit a sizzling .276 throughout the match, pounding down 49 kills to just 17 errors in 116 chances. WNMU held NMHU to a .146 hitting percentage (32 kills, 14 errors in 123 chances). Pulu had a match-high 15 kills, hitting at a .361 clip. Bayer added 13 kills and a .233 hitting percentage. Alyssa Meihack (Fallon, NV/Churchill County High School) had 40 assists, while defensively Meihack had 14 digs, Pulu with 12 and Bayer and Pilgrim added two block assists each.


WNMU will remain on the road Saturday night when they face CSU-Pueblo with gametime set for 7 p.m.

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