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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
VB Celebration
Jay Hemphill, WNMU
0
West Texas A&M WTAMU 8-7, 3-3 LSC
3
Winner Western N.M. WNMU 3-10, 3-2 LSC
West Texas A&M WTAMU
8-7, 3-3 LSC
0
Final
3
Western N.M. WNMU
3-10, 3-2 LSC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
West Texas A&M WTAMU 21 23 15 (0)
Western N.M. WNMU 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | Brian Kortz

Lady Mustangs Power Past West Texas A&M in Three

SILVER CITY, N.M. – In what was a defensive struggle early on, the Western New Mexico University volleyball team began to heat up the offense hitting for over .200 in the final two sets on their way to taking the 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-15) victory over West Texas A&M Friday night in Lone Star Conference play.

Both teams had troubles in the first set, with WNMU (3-10, 3-2 LSC) hitting just .150 (11-5-40), to a .024 clip (14-13-41) for WT (8-7, 3-3 LSC). Although WNMU held just a 38-34 edge on kills and blocks were even at eight, attack errors were a big factor with the Buffs committing 26 to 16 for the Lady Mustangs.

Senior Kalie Lyle (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O' Connor) posted a game-high 11 kills, followed by nine from senior Alanna Watt (Hague, Saskatchewan/Hague). Senior Heather Verrill (Barstow, CA/Barstow) is starting to get back in the groove after tallying seven kills and coming away with a .462 hitting percentage. She also had six blocks to pick up 10 points on the night.

Sophomore Cristal Carrizoza (Phoenix, AZ/North) dished out 19 assists, while fellow sophomore Sophia Mitchell (Katy, TX/Taylor) had a strong night as well with 15 assists. On defense, senior Ashley Mataele (Laie, HI/Kahuku) collected 22 digs and outside of Verrill's six blocks, senior Kelli McGhiey (Pearl City, HI/Sacred Hearts Academy) added four.

WNMU got things going right away, as they scored the first two points and then later jumped out to a 5-1 lead behind points from Lyle, and then a double-block by Verrill and junior Aspen Luna (Rota, Spain/Farragut). The lead stretched to seven at 13-6 after the Buffs committed back-to-back attack errors. WT made one last run to pull to within two at 22-20, but the Lady Mustangs were not to be denied. Verrill tallied the next point with a kill and after the teams traded points, Watt sealed the set with a kill at 25-21.

WT controlled play in the second set during the early points as they moved out to an 11-8 advantage. Trailing 13-9, a timeout by WNMU was key, as they answered back with a 4-1 spurt out of the break to eventually even the set at 15. Lyle, Watt and McGhiey all had kills, around a ball handling error by the Buffs. WT recovered and had a late lead of 21-20. The Lady Mustangs caught fire at that point, with Lyle ripping a big kill and then a pair of errors by WT moved WNMU to a 23-21 lead. After the Buffs tallied two of the next three points, WNMU was at set point at 24-23 and McGhiey sealed it with a kill for the 25-23 second set win and 2-0 match lead.

The Buffs showed fight at the start of the third set, moving out to a 3-1 lead. With the set still close at 11-10 in favor of WNMU, the Lady Mustangs began to make a little separation. Sophomore Erin Moss (Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) sat down a kill on the ensuing point, to help ignite a 4-0 run. Lyle added a service ace and Watt a kill for the 15-10 lead. After the Buffs made one last run to pull to within three at 18-15, WNMU closed the set and the match in style. A service error by WT helped start and match-ending 7-0 run for the 25-15 third set win. During the run, Verrill, Mataele, McGhiey and Lyle all came away with points.

WT was led by Kamille Jones' nine kills. Michaela Montgomery added eight kills and hit .429. Selena Batiste dished out 20 assists, while on defense Chandler Vogel had 12 digs and Gia Petties had four blocks.

WNMU will return to action tomorrow (Saturday) night at 6 p.m. against UT Permian Basin inside Drag's Court. Eastern New Mexico rolled to a 3-0 win over the Falcons earlier tonight in Portales.
 
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