The Court Cowgirls improved to 8-7 overall (3-3 RMAC) with a four set (25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23) win over Colorado Mesa University on 9-30 at the John A. Wilson Complex in Las Vegas, N.M.
With a surge in the first set, Highlands set the tone of the match starting with a 10-7 run and two kills buried by Sophomore Outside Hitter Darian Mullen. As Mullen proceeded to notch points for the home team, the Mavericks of newly renamed Colorado Mesa started to pick up momentum and push towards a comeback.
After a visiting timeout, Mesa was subjugated to the Cowgirls tearing through the scoresheet with a 5-4 run and making the score 15-11. The teams traded points, and the Mavs pushed towards a momentous surge, but the Cowgirls squashed their momentum easily with a kill from Junior Outside Hitter Brook Tuttle who used the block and marked a kill. Finishing the first set, Highlands dropped the Mavericks 25-21.
The Mavericks started set two with a vengeance as they tore through the points with kills from their spread offense. At 7-7, Mesa had accrued five kills while Highlands had only earned three of theirs. The teams battled for points, but at 10-all, Mesa rode their momentum to a 10-19 lead. Head Coach Jim Deisler's timeout started a taciturn return into the match, but it was not enough to capture the set.
Once the intermission was over, Deisler submitted a different lineup with Junior Outside Hitter Ashley Nugent stepping onto the court. Nugent provided a different offense that the Mavericks had not seen and was not ready for. She, accompanied with Freshman Libero Sheila Olaechea and Senior SetterBrooke Fahnestock, heavily pushed the Mavericks who pushed back. As each team traded points and errors, Highlands pulled away at 22-22 with a kill from Senior Middle BlockerKelsey Groff. Benton, who had 10 kills and 3.5 blocks, paced the 'Girls with a .200 hitting percentage.
Olaechea started the fourth set a little rocky, but settled down early as she passed only one reception error and had an abundance of perfect passes that helped Fahnestock receive 34 assists. Set four was just as difficult as the third for the Cowgirls since Mesa struggled to earn a point and effectively and efficiently put a ball to the floor.
“We played inconsistent volleyball, but we settled down and played the Highlands way,” said Head Coach Jim Deisler. “Our serve receive was a great way to show what correlates into wins. When our receptions were near perfect, our setter was able to run her offense, which translated into points.”
Benton's 10 kills, Mullen's 13 and Senior Opposite Kelsey Groff's eight were enough to push the Cowgirls past Colorado Mesa University. Olaechea chipped in 27 digs and Sophomore Middle Blocker Jazmine Harge had a hitting percentage of .250.
The Cowgirls host Fort Lewis College on 10-1 at 7:00 PM.
GO COWGIRLS!!!
