GRAND JUNCTION/DURANGO, Colo. – After just one match at home, the Western New Mexico University volleyball team will hit the road again this week when they play at No. 17 Colorado Mesa University and Fort Lewis College in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.
First up on Friday night at 7 p.m. will be a matchup against nationally-ranked Colorado Mesa. The Mavericks are 13-3 overall and 7-1 in conference and have won four straight. Their only loss in conference came in a five-set marathon at Metro State. They defeated nationally-ranked Colorado Mines (3-0) and receiving votes Regis (3-0). They are currently a half-game back of first overall in the conference.
Melissa Hess (179) and Audrey Steinkirchner (171) lead the offense in kills, while Jordyn Moody sets the table with 667 assists (12.13 per set). On defense, four players have over 100 digs led by 258 from Tiffany Petersen and 155 from Erin Perez. Abby Ney leads in blocks with 52. Last year, the teams traded wins with CMU winning the first meeting in Silver City (3-2), before the Lady Mustangs responded with a 3-1 win in Grand Junction.
The next night on Saturday also at 7 p.m. will be a meeting with the Skyhawks. FLC, currently 5-11 overall and 2-6 in the RMAC, dropped their last match against CSU-Pueblo (3-1). Prior to that loss, they won at Western State (3-2). Their other conference tally came at home against Black Hills St. (3-0).
Ashley Wells leads the offense with 163 kills, followed by 117 from Stephani Sonka. Ciara Krening leads the team in assists with 276. On defense, Ally Dell'Amico has 302 digs to 181 for Wells. Shelby Lehman leads the way in blocks with 51. WNMU took both meetings last year by 3-0 sweeps.
WNMU (5-10, 2-6 RMAC) is coming off of a home victory against Adams State (3-1) that snapped a five-match losing streak. The Lady Mustangs hit .234 for the match while limiting the Grizzlies to a .101 clip.
Heather Verrill (Barstow, CA/Barstow ) hit .765 with 13 kills to zero errors in 17 chances. Her performance was tops on the team for a match this season and also for the RMAC.
Leeta Grap (Kamuela, HI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy) (138), Verrill (114) and
Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom) (102) all lead the way in kills with at least 100.
Kylie Fraga (Kennewick, WA/Southridge) leads the team with 333 assists, while
Melanie Hughes (Riverside, CA/Martin Luther King Jr.) adds 132. On defense,
Barbara Soranzo (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil/Mestre Santa Barbara) (162) and Grap (158) lead in kills, while Verrill leads in blocks with 62. Rich has added 52 blocks.
Right now, New Mexico Highlands, Fort Lewis and WNMU are all tied for 10
th in the RMAC with 2-6 marks. The Lady Mustangs sit two games back of seventh which is currently held by Colorado Christian and Black Hills State, both 4-4.
Live stats and video will be available for both matches.
