The Highlands Cowgirl Volleyball team beat the Adams State College Grizzlies on Saturday night in five (15-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-8) sets at the John A. Wilson Complex.
Highlands improves to 9-13 (4-9 RMAC) as they knocked out the RMAC West Division leader who falls to 14-7 (8-5 RMAC).
Sophomore Outside Hitter
Darian Mullen who had 17 kills on 42 attempts with two blocks led the home team. Freshman Libero
Sheila Olaechea had a career-high 33 digs and four aces.
The Grizzlies who started with a 6-5 lead controlled the first set. Highlands answered back to the Adams State offense, but the Grizzlies had too many runs of points and the Cowgirls ran out of time. Adams took the first set by 10 points and gained momentum into the second.
Adams did not have as much momentum as they thought they did, as Highlands answered quickly to the demands of the match keeping up with the in-system Grizzlies. The first 10 points were traded quickly between teams. At 8-10, Adams went on a 10-5 run making the set 20-15. But, a service error from Megan Tapia gave the Cowgirls hope to get back into the set. As Adams led 23-18, the Cowgirls started to make a comeback, but fell short 22-25.
After the eight-minute intermission, Head Coach
Jim Deisler's words of wisdom spurred a new Highlands team. The Cowgirls used the momentum from the home crowd to bolster their defense to keep themselves in the match. Trailing by as much as seven, Highlands earned runs of points and brought the game to 21 all. The teams traded a pair of points until Adams went up 24-22.
Highlands fought. Hard.
The girls gritted their teeth, dug their toes in and played with all they had.
A kill from Junior Outside Hitter
Ashley Nugent brought the 'Girls within one, then three straight errors from Dominique Davis turned the momentum to the home team.
As set four began, Highlands used their momentum and in-system abilities to jump to a comfortable 5-1 lead. Adams did not return the challenge as Highlands surged to a 17-10 lead spurred by Senior Opposite
Kelsey Groff, who hit .250 and had three blocks on the match. The teams battled, but the Cowgirls shut down the visitors offense and taking set four 25-20.
A deflated Adams State stepped onto the court for the fifth set. The Highlands Cowgirls had beaten their opponent effectively and efficiently. Highlands started extremely strong and finished stronger than they ever have before. The teams switched sides as Highlands took an 8-4 lead and successfully closed out the match on a 7-4 run.
Senior Setter
Brooke Fahnestock led her team with 54 assists, six digs and 1.5 blocks.
Highlands had five hitters with at least double-digit kills. Sophomore Middle Blocker
Jazmine Harge led the 'Girls with a .292 hitting percentage and four blocks. Senior Middle Blocker
Dominique Benton was close with 13 kills, 5.5 blocks and a .275 clip.
View the Complete Stats
HERE.
The Cowgirls travel to Silver City, N.M. to take on Grand Canyon University and Western New Mexico University on Monday 10/24.
GO COWGIRLS!!!
