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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
Vb Team
Jay Hemphill, WNMU
1
Midwestern State MSU 12-12, 5-9 LSC
3
Winner Western N.M. WNMU 7-15, 7-7 LSC
Midwestern State MSU
12-12, 5-9 LSC
1
Final
3
Western N.M. WNMU
7-15, 7-7 LSC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Midwestern State MSU 17 25 22 19 (1)
Western N.M. WNMU 25 22 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | Brian Kortz

Lady Mustangs Block Their Way to Win Over Midwestern State

SILVER CITY, N.M. – Backed by 14 blocks and three players posting double-digit kills, the Western New Mexico University volleyball team fought off a tough challenge from Midwestern State University Friday night before pulling away with the 3-1 victory (25-17, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19) in Lone Star Conference action.

After a solid opening set win, it was a battle after that with sets two and three up in the air for either team to claim. After WNMU (7-15, 7-7 LSC) grabbed the third set, they cruised in the fourth to pick up the win.

Leading the 14-team block effort was senior Heather Verrill (Barstow, CA/Barstow) with nine blocks, including two solo. Senior Kelli McGhiey (Pearl City, HI/Sacred Hearts Academy) added six blocks, with one coming solo. Senior Kalie Lyle (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O' Connor) caught fire over the final two sets to lead the team with 16 kills, while senior Alanna Watt (Hague, Saskatchewan/Hague) added 11 and McGhiey with 10. Verrill just missed a double-double with nine kills. Senior Ashley Mataele (Laie, HI/Kahuku) was all over the back row with 20 digs, while sophomores Cristal Carrizoza (Phoenix, AZ/North) and Sophia Mitchell (Katy, TX/Taylor) combined for 47 assists, with Carrizoza tallying 24.

With the opening set tied at nine, WNMU began to make their move going on a 9-1 run. Lyle started the spurt with a kill and then teamed with Verrill for a double-block. Verrill then ripped off a pair of kills and after back-to-back blocks by McGhiey and Verrill, Lyle capped the run with a kill at 18-10. MSU (12-12, 5-9 LSC) pulled back to within five, but wouldn't get any closer with junior Aspen Luna (Rota, Spain/Farragut) ending the set with a kill at 25-17. WNMU hit .306 (15-4-36) in the opening set, while holding MSU to a .139 clip (12-7-36).

MSU gained the early advantage in set two pulling out to an 11-9 lead. After stretching the lead to three, WNMU roared back with the next three points to even the set at 13 on points from Watt and a service ace by Verrill. MSU just kept the pressure coming as they moved out to a 22-18 lead before WNMU made one last run. With kills by Verrill and McGhiey to get to within one at 23-22, MSU answered with back-to-back kills by Rockelle Gholson to give MSU the 25-22 set and even the match at one.

That meant set three was the swing set and both teams played like it early on. Following a kill by Watt to boost WNMU to a 12-11 lead, MSU responded with a 5-0 run to open a 16-12 lead. Still trailing 17-14, WNMU found their groove with Lyle and Carrizoza claiming points to even the set at 17. MSU stayed in front 20-18 before WNMU came back to boost in front at 21-20 with Luna and sophomore Hannah Tishlarich (Elk Grove, CA/Pleasant Grove) combining for a double-block. Out of a MSU timeout, the retied the set and they would again be tied at 22 when WNMU went on a 3-0 run to win the set. An attack error opened the door for a Carrizoza service ace and then a kill by Watt gave WNMU the 25-22 third set win and 2-1 match lead.

With momentum clearly on the side of WNMU, they took advantage of in the fourth set moving out to the 3-1 lead with points from Verrill and McGhiey. MSU refused to go away as they countered with a 5-3 run to move ahead 6-4. Tied at nine, a Lyle kill, along with a service ace around a solo block by Luna boosted WNMu to a 12-9 advantage. The lead stretched to five at 17-12 on a double-block by Lyle and Verrill. MSU got back to within three late in the set at 21-18 before a 4-1 run by WNMU sealed the match. During the final stretch Luna, Watt, Verrill and McGhiey all tallied points for the 25-19 fourth set win and 3-1 match victory.

WNMU hit .227 (57-22-154) for the match, while MSU countered with a .136 clip (49-28-154). WNMU held the edge in kills (57-49), blocks (14-10), assists (56-48) and digs (64-62), while MSU held the edge in service aces (5-4).

Gholson led MSU with 16 kills, with Raven Presley and Addison Semer adding 11 apiece. Kristan Aduddell dished out 43 assists, while on defense Aerielle Edwards had 17 digs and Sarah Eakin added seven blocks, with two solo.

WNMU will host Cameron tomorrow (Saturday) night beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern New Mexico downed Cameron 3-0 earlier tonight.
 
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