SILVER CITY, N.M. – Angelo State, currently ranked No. 10 in the latest AVCA Poll, rebounded from a tough five-set loss the night before at Eastern New Mexico coming back with the 3-0 victory (19-25, 20-25, 21-25) over the Western New Mexico University volleyball team Saturday night in Lone Star Conference action.
It was senior day for
Kelsie Bailey (Albuquerque, NM/El Dorado),
Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom),
Taimane Passi (Honolulu, HI/Iolani) and
Kelsey Marks (Cave Creek, AZ/Cactus Shadow) as they were all honored between the second and third set break.
Although the match only went three sets, WNMU (16-15, 8-12 LSC) had their chances. Angelo State (28-3, 18-2 LSC) moved ahead 11-6 to start things in the first set before the Lady Mustangs began to find their game midway through the set. Juniors
Kalie Lyle (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O' Connor ),
Heather Verrill (Barstow, CA/Barstow ) and
Samantha Haupeakui (San Mateo, CA/Aragon) all posted kills to help move WNMU to within one at 16-15. Freshman
Cristal Carrizoza (Phoenix, AZ/North) helped stop a 3-0 Angelo State run with a kill at 19-16, but that ended up being as close as they could get the rest of the way with Angelo State closing the opening frame on a 6-3 run for the 25-19 first set win.
The Belles started the second out strong as well moving in front 6-3. WNMU slowly worked their way back in getting kills from junior
Kelli McGhiey (Pearl City, HI/Sacred Hearts Academy ), Haupeakui and Verrill, around a service ace from Passi to knot the set at seven. WNMU kept the pressure going, moving in front at 12-10 with a kill by McGhiey and service ace from junior
Ashley Mataele (Laie, HI/Kahuku). With things tied at 16, Angelo State put together a quick 3-0 spurt and that was enough to propel them the rest of the set. The Lady Mustangs tried to rally, getting to within two a couple of times, with the last coming at 22-20 on a double-block by Rich and McGhiey before the Belles closed on a 3-0 spurt to take the set at 25-20.
Angelo State appeared poised to run away with the third set moving in front 12-7. WNMU didn't go away, going on a 6-0 run to take a 14-13 lead. A service error started the rally and then Haupeakui, Rich and junior
Morgan Lyneis (Victorville, CA/Apple Valley) all added points. Verrill helped keep WNMU in front at 18-17 and later a kill by Lyneis evened the set for what would be the final time at 19. Following that kill, Angelo State went on a 6-2 run to take the third set at 25-21 and match at 3-0.
Verrill paced the offense with 10 kills and hit .444. Haupeakui (8) and Rich (7) were next in kills. Junior
Melanie Hughes (Riverside, CA/Martin Luther King Jr.) dished out 19 assists, while on defense Mataele had 11 digs and Rich, Verrill and Lyneis all came away with four blocks.
Brianna Sotello led all players with 14 kills in powering the Angelo State attack. Mallory Blauser chipped in 10 kills. Meghan Parker came away with 42 assists, Mallory Davidson with 16 digs and Tulani Titley with five blocks.
The Belles held the edge in kills (50-39), service aces (4-3), blocks (9-8), assists (48-37) and digs (48-38).
WNMU will now prepare for the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament that will take place Thursday through Saturday hosted by top seed Angelo State. The Lady Mustangs will enter as the seventh seed and will battle second seed Tarleton State at 2:30 p.m. (Central Time) on Thursday. If WNMU were to win, they would play the winner of #3 Texas A&M-Kingsville and #6 West Texas A&M on Friday at 5 p.m. (Central Time). The winning team of the tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Championship field.
