Silver City, New Mexico - The 2024 volleyball season continued for the Western New Mexico Mustangs. This week, the Mustangs will play three home games, starting their series against New Mexico Highlands University but losing the match 1-3.
New Mexico Highlands University:
Jazmyne Walker (Las Vegas, NV/Legacy High School) led the offense for the Mustangs with 15 kills. Eimaya Medina (Las Cruces, NM/Centennial High School) spread the ball nicely around the court with 20 assists. Lilouann Bechec (Cannes, France) and Jéssica Sales contributed with two aces each.
The back row of the Mustangs had a busy game, with Lilouann Bechec (Cannes, France) leading the team with 24 digs. Jade Rampton (Nelson, New Zealand/Shanghai American School) and Hannah Del Rio (Vacaville, CA/Will C. Wood High School) provided support with two block assists each.
Set 1
The Cowgirls and the Mustangs fought back and forth for the lead, tying at 5-5. The Mustangs soon pulled ahead to 9-5 with a kill from Jade Rampton (Nelson, New Zealand/Shanghai American School). After a timeout taken by the Cowgirls, they regained their momentum and took the lead at 15-23. A kill from Jéssica Sales helped the Mustangs stay in the fight at 17-24, but they ultimately fell, losing the set 17-25 to the Cowgirls.
Cowgirls 1, Mustangs 0.
Set 2
In the second set, the Cowgirls were the first to score, but that did not stop Hannah Del Rio (Vacaville, CA/Will C. Wood High School) from earning a kill to make the score 4-2. Putting up a good fight, the Cowgirls went on a six-point run, putting them back on top with a score of 16-22. Trying to push back, Carley Deck (Tucson, AZ/Tanque Verde High School) made a kill to bring the score to 18-22. Still falling behind, the Mustangs lost the second set 18-25.
Cowgirls 2, Mustangs 0.
Set 3
Starting the third set strong, Hannah Del Rio (Vacaville, CA/Will C. Wood High School) earned a kill, putting the Mustangs on the board first. Their momentum continued as the Mustangs went on a six-point run, with a service ace from Carley Deck (Tucson, AZ/Tanque Verde High School) making the score 13-4. The Mustangs maintained their lead and won the set with a kill from Hannah Del Rio (Vacaville, CA/Will C. Wood High School), finishing with a score of 25-21.
Cowgirls 2, Mustangs 1.
Set 4
In the fourth set, the Cowgirls regained their momentum and went on a four-point run, making the score 4-0. The Mustangs fought back, tying it at 9-9 with a kill by Eimaya Medina (Las Cruces, NM/Centennial High School). Both teams continued to trade leads by one point. A kill by Jéssica Sales tied the score at 25-25, pushing the Mustangs and Cowgirls into extra points. In a closely contested set, the Cowgirls emerged on top, winning with a score of 25-27, thus winning the match 3-1.
The Mustangs will move on to their next match against Midwestern State on October 10, 2024, in Silver City, New Mexico.
This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!
***
Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube & Instagram).
