PHOENIX, Ariz. – It will be a shorter trip this week for the Western New Mexico University volleyball team when they travel to Phoenix to face Arizona Christian on Friday and William Jessup on Saturday.

Following a five match trip through Texas in which the Lady Mustangs went 2-3, they will play a couple more non-conference matches this weekend before opening conference play next Thursday.

The Firestorm is 4-3 on the season with wins against Embry-Riddle (twice), Robert Morris, and Benedictine. Last time out they fell on the road against San Diego Christian on Sep. 9 (1-3). MacKenzie Worden leads the offense with 83 kills, while Kailaa Heaney sets the table with 139 assists. On defense, Haley Worden is far and away the leader in digs with 154, while Smith has 24 total blocks.

On Saturday, WNMU will face off against William Jessup. The Warriors are 0-6 on the season and will face San Diego Christian on Friday and then Arizona Christian earlier in the day on Saturday before playing the Lady Mustangs. Kel Hill leads the offense with 39 kills, while Caitlyn Quindoy has 48 assists. On defense, Ysabelle Leron has 55 digs and Brooke Silverman has five total blocks.  

Junior Leeta Grap (Kamuela, HI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy) leads WNMU in kills with 54, followed by 43 from freshman Heather Verrill (Barstow, CA/Barstow ). Freshman Kylie Fraga (Kennewick, WA/Southridge) has become the main setter through the first five matches with 115 assists. On defense, junior Barbara Soranzo (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil/Mestre Santa Barbara) has a team-high 71 digs and nine service aces. Senior Lauren Buseman (Eagar, AZ/Round Valley) leads the way in total blocks with 19, followed by 18 from Verrill. Grap is also high on the list in terms of digs with 60.

WNMU will play at Arizona Christian on Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. Mountain Time. Live video will be available for that match. The Lady Mustangs will then finish the weekend on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Mountain Time against William Jessup.