Box Score SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University volleyball team extended their home winning streak to five after defeating New Mexico Highlands University, 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18) Saturday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.


WNMU (19-5, 11-4 RMAC) had a tough time pulling away early from NMHU (11-13, 5-10 RMAC), as a kill by Bobbi Bayer (Granby, CO/Eddyville Blakesburg ) extended the lead to 10-8 in the opening set. Later, the Lady Mustangs hit their stride when Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom) had a kill and then a pair of aces from Reyna Acosta (Pearl City, HI/Pearl City) made it 15-10 leading to a Cowgirl timeout. Out of the break, NMHU would get as close as three at 20-17, but WNMU answered with a kill from Bayer and then an attack error for a 22-17 lead. Seluia "Ria" Falealili (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) would close the set with a kill for the 25-20 set win.


The second set was the complete opposite with the Cowgirls opening with the momentum as they started the set up 7-0. They would continue to hold a solid lead until the Lady Mustangs chipped away getting to within three at 17-14 on an attack error. NMHU would go on to extend the lead before WNMU would get as close as four on a kill from Alyssa Meihack (Fallon, NV/Churchill County High School) at 24-20 when the Cowgirls ended the set on the next point for the 25-20 set win to tie the match at one.


The Lady Mustangs would regain control of the match in the third set as they took an early 12-8 lead on a quick kill from Meihack. After NMHU got to within two at 17-15, the Lady Mustangs reeled off a 5-0 run to put the set away. During the run, Kaysee Pilgrim (Phoenix, AZ/Barry Goldwater) had two kills and NMHU committed three errors. Pilgrim would then close the set a few points later with a kill for the 25-17 set win and 2-1 match lead.


Bayer helped pace a strong start in the fourth with three straight kills for a 10-6 lead. NMHU would get back to within three at 13-10 when Rich would help start a 3-0 run for WNMU to put the set out of reach with a kill. Meihack followed with a service ace and then Angelina Pulu (Long Beach, CA/Robert A. Millikan High School) closed the run with a kill. Pulu ended the match with a solid kill at 25-18, giving WNMU the 3-1 match victory.
Three Lady Mustangs reached double-digits in kills led by 12 from Pilgrim and 10 each from Rich and Bayer. Meihack had 42 assists, while on defense Pulu had 16 digs and Pilgrim had four block assists.


With the win, WNMU moves into a three-way tie for second along with Regis and Colorado Mesa. Colorado Mines remains on top at 14-1 in the RMAC. Three teams are just a game behind in a tie for third at 10-5 including Colorado Christian, Metro State and Adams State.


WNMU will hit the road this coming Friday and Saturday when they will play at Colorado Mesa on Friday night at 7 p.m. and then at Fort Lewis College on Saturday, also at 7 p.m.