The Cowgirl Volleyball team completed day one of the I.C. Bhakta Invitational Tournament. The tournament is in honor of the late I.C. Bhakta. Mr. Bhakta was a local business leader in Las Vegas who passed away in 2005 from cancer. When he was in college, he had the dubious honor of being named the captain of the Indian National Team. Mr. Bhakta forever embraced his love for volleyball as he was still an active member in the local senior league before his death.
His love for athletics and education shows in his family's generosity amongst the Las Vegas community and most importantly New Mexico Highlands University. This tournament is being sponsored by his sons, Sanjay and Krutik Bhakta, in memory of him.
The Cowgirls finished day one of the Invitational with a 1-1 record. The Cowgirls' first game was against the Tigers of Fort Hays State University. This would prove to be the matchup of the day as it was the only game to go to five sets. The Tigers came out on top with a final score of 3-2.
The two teams traded wins after the Tigers won the first set with a score of 25-21. The Cowgirls then won the next set with a score of 25-20. The Cowgirls would repeat on the third set with a score of 25-21. The fourth set was 27-25, in favor of the Tigers sending the match into a fifth and final set. The final set would end with the Tigers on top with a score of 15-6.
Ashley Nugent led the Cowgirls with 19 kills, with teammate
Sarah Dirmeyer following with 11 kills.
Emma Dickinson was the digs leader for the Cowgirls with 17 digs in the game.
The Cowgirls then took on Johnson and Wales for the nightcap. The Cowgirls took the game in three sets but it wasn't easy for them out of the gate.
The Cowgirls dominated in the first set with a final score of 25-5. The second set wasn't as easy for the Cowgirls, as they were behind by as much as seven points but pulled through and won the set after a quick Cowgirl rally. Set three would be a cakewalk for the Cowgirls as they won with a final score of 25-8.
Dirmeyer led the Cowgirls in the night game with 9 kills,3 aces and a block. Nugent was quick behind with 8 kills.
The Cowgirls will now continue on the final day of the tournament as they take on Eastern New Mexico and Oklahoma Panhandle State on 9/11. The Cowgirls will play their first game at 1 pm in the John A. Wilson Complex.
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