DENVER, Colo. – MSU Denver came out strong in each set on their way to defeating the Western New Mexico University volleyball team 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-11) in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.
MSU Denver (12-8, 9-2 RMAC) claimed their ninth-straight win hitting .337 (44-10-101) while holding WNMU (14-5, 9-2 RMAC) to a .041 clip (28-23-123).
In the first set the Lady Mustangs had a pair of early leads moving in front 4-2 off a service ace by
Leeta Grap (Kamuela, HI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy) and a kill by
Kelli McGhiey (Pearl City, HI/Sacred Hearts Academy ). The advantage would get to a three-point spread a few times with the last coming at 11-8 on a kill by Grap. The Roadrunners responded with a 5-0 run to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish even after WNMU fought back to tie at 13-all. WNMU made one last run getting to within two at 17-15 on a kill by
Sheila Menezes (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Escola Estadual Prof. Antonio Ablas Filho) before MSU Denver went on an 8-3 run to take the set, 25-18. The opening set was the best hitting set of the night for WNMU connecting on a .132 clip and had 11 kills.
Grap began the second set with a kill, but then the Roadrunners answered and never looked back. Trailing 8-3, WNMU began to chip away getting points from
Taimane Passi (Honolulu, HI/Iolani) and McGhiey to pull back to within one at 8-7. With WNMU down one at 9-8, MSU Denver went on a 16-5 run to claim the set at 25-13. The Roadrunners came away with 15 kills and hit .368 in the set.
The third set started just like the second as Grap began things with a kill. The Roadrunners wasted little time answering with a 5-0 run. A Grap kill at 5-2 snapped the run and later a Menezes kill at 8-3 got WNMU as close as they would get the rest of the set. The Roadrunners closed on a 17-8 run for the 25-11 set win and 3-0 match victory.
In addition to winning the hitting battle, MSU Denver held the edge in blocks (9-1), assists (40-26) and in digs (57-43). Grap led all-players with a match-high 14 kills.
Chyler Imai (Kapaau, HI/Kohala) and Passi added nine assists apiece, while on defense
Ashley Mataele (Laie, HI/Kahuku) had nine digs.
Ryan Hoerdemann and Summer Greager led the Roadrunners with 12 kills apiece. Michaele Smith added 11. Brandi Torr dished out 38 assists and Kylie Haun posted 21 digs.
WNMU will return home this coming Friday when they will face Chadron State beginning at 7 p.m.
