The New Mexico Highlands Volleyball team secured a spot in the RMAC Tournament for the first time since, 2005 Saturday night.
Entering their final match of the regular season against CSU-Pueblo, the Cowgirls were a half game behind Colorado Mesa University. Mesa, who fell to Adams State College, needed a win to gain the final seed into the RMAC West Playoffs.
Highlands' win on Friday night against Western State College brought HU and Mesa to even in the standings, but under a tie-breaker rule, Highlands earns the playoff berth.
The Cowgirls fell to Pueblo in four (25-19, 16-25, 25-20, 25-23) sets at the John A. Wilson Complex. Highlands completes their regular season with a 12-18 (6-12 RMAC) record.
The first two sets were controlled evenly by both teams. The ThunderWolves started strong as they took a 15-10 streak. Both teams battled late in the set, but Highlands' errors early in the set proved costly as Pueblo took the set 25-19.
Highlands came out strong in the second set, going on a 19-11 tear. At 21-13, a kill from Senior Middle Blocker
Dominique Benton opened the match and gave Highlands the momentum. The home team had zero hitting errors in the set which proved to be the beneficiary.
The ThunderWolves tore through the Highlands' block the next two sets, hitting .134.
Highlands fought hard, but failed to meet the challenge in the fourth set as they fell 25-23
“We are excited to make the playoffs,” says Head Coach
Jim Deisler. “We look forward to representing New Mexico Highlands University as well as the Las Vegas community in the RMAC tournament.”
The home team was pushed by Senior Middle Blocker
Dominique Benton with 13 kills, six blocks and hit a solid .226. Defensively, Freshman Libero
Sheila Olaechea chipped in 16 digs and one ace. Cumulatively, Highlands notched a weak .125 but the ThunderWolves' .139 was not any better.
Highlands out-blocked their opponent 10-8 and had three more assists of 43-40.
Highlands travels to Silver City, N.M. to take on first seed Western New Mexico University on Tuesday, 11/8, at 7 p.m.
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GO COWGIRLS!!!
