OCT. 22 at WESTERN NEW MEXICO: LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
OCT. 25 at ADAMS STATE: LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
SILVER CITY, N.M. and ALAMOSA, Colo. – The race to qualify for the 2014 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has come down to six regular season games, and New Mexico Highlands (10-12, 5-7 RMAC) currently sits one game back of sixth place. After a battle against Western New Mexico (7-12, 4-8 RMAC), who the Cowgirls beat in straight sets in September, Highlands will have ample opportunity Saturday (Oct. 25) to put themselves in contention for a berth as it takes on Adams State (12-9, 6-6 RMAC).
First thing first as the Cowgirls battle rival Western New Mexico. Highlands beat the Mustangs in straight set thanks to a balanced offensive output. Sophomore
Andrea Nunez led the team with 11 kills.
To read more about that game, click
here. However, a win in Alamosa will be critical for the Cowgirls as Adams State knocked off Highlands in straight sets to open up the month of October.
To read more, click
here. Senior
Jessica Piper had a great last week for the Cowgirls as it swept Western State and CSU-Pueblo at home. Piper averaged just shy of 5.5 digs per set, including 34 digs in the win against the Thunderwolves. According to the American Volleyball Coach's Association, that is the 13th best total in a single match in NCAA Division II this season.
Piper has moved up to eighth in the RMAC and 155th in the nation with an average of 4.16 digs per set.
To read more about the win against Western State, click
here.To read more about the win against CSU-Pueblo, click
here. However, in should be noted what freshman
Kristin Woody has done in the last four conference matches to help the Cowgirls go 3-1 in the matches. Woody has 43 kills in the last 17 sets and four matches played, including double-digit kills in the three wins. She did not have more than four kills in any match this season prior.
Senior
Alicia Moreno continues to lead the team and is second in digs with 2.78 and 2.86 per set, respectively.
Scouting Western New MexicoThe Mustangs forte this season is their block, as they are 23rd in the nation with 2.26 blocks per set. However, the Cowgirls were able to neutralize the advantage in Las Vegas by actually out-blocking Western New Mexico 8-7.
Leeta Garp leads a balanced offensive attack with 2.36 kills per set. Heather Verril leads the team with 1.07 blocks per set and is second in kills with 1.93 per set. Shannon Rich is second on the team in blocks (1.00 per set) and third in kills (1.81 per set).
Scouting Adams State It will be a repeat of Wednesday night for the Cowgirls on Saturday when they face Adams State. The Grizzlies are 29th in the nation with 2.24 blocks per set.
However, the Grizzlies will come at Highlands with a potent offensive attack. Lindsey Stindt is 57th in the nation with 3.65 kills per set. Stindt went for 14 kills in the first meeting of the year with Highlands.
Next Up The Cowgirls will play their final home conference games of the season next weekend when they host Colorado Mesa Friday (Oct. 31) and Fort Lewis Saturday (Nov 1). Both matches are at 7 p.m. Senior day will be celebrated on Saturday night against the Skyhawks.
