ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University volleyball team ran into a tough Adams State University squad Saturday afternoon as the Grizzlies defeated the Lady Mustangs 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-21) at Plachy Hall in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


Adams State (4-6, 2-0 RMAC) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first set and never relinquished the lead. WNMU (8-2, 1-1 RMAC) came back to tie the set three times with the last coming at 7-all on an attack error. After the Grizzlies moved back in front, they would hold the advantage the rest of the way as WNMU was able to get within three at 17-14 on a service ace by Alyssa Meihack (Fallon, NV/Churchill County High School) before Adams State closed the set on an 8-3 run to take the set, 25-17. Adams State dominated at the net in the set, collecting 12 kills to just four errors, while holding the Lady Mustangs to seven kills and six errors.


WNMU came back to take the lead a couple of times in the second set, as they moved ahead by two at 11-9 on a service ace from Chyler Imai (Kapaau, HI/Kohala). After that, the Grizzlies caught fire going on a 6-0 run to move in front 15-11. With Adams State a point away at 24-18, the Lady Mustangs fought back to score three straight points with Francquee Acosta (El Paso, TX/Americas) and Angelina Pulu (Long Beach, CA/Robert A. Millikan High School) posting kills before a Grizzly attack error. Following a timeout, Adams State regrouped to hang on and take the set, 25-21, to take a 2-0 match lead.


The Lady Mustangs opened the third with a pair of kills from Pulu and later moved ahead 4-1 on a bad set. The lead would get as high as six at 14-8 on a solo block from Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom). Just like in the previous sets, Adams State came fighting back with an 8-0 run to regain the lead, 16-14. After WNMU scored the next point on a service error, Adams State went on a 3-0 run to hold the lead down the stretch despite WNMU coming back to within two at 21-19 on a kill by Bobbi Bayer (Granby, CO/Eddyville Blakesburg ) before the Grizzlies came away with the 25-21 set win and 3-0 match victory.


Pulu led the Lady Mustangs in kills with 12, while Meihack dished out 27 assists. On defense, Meihack led in digs with 10, while Bayer and Rich each tallied a solo block.


Having opened with the first 10 matches away from Silver City, WNMU will return home for their home opener on Friday against Fort Lewis beginning at 7 p.m. inside Drag's Court.