LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Cowgirls never led any set by more than one point as the New Mexico Highlands volleyball team (10-15, 5-10 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) lost in straight sets to #13 Colorado Mesa (21-3, 14-1 RMAC) 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 Friday night (Oct. 31) at the Wilson Complex.
Senior
Jessica Piper had a great penultimate home match in her Highlands career with 18 digs and four assists. However, Colorado Mesa spoiled the night with a .330 hitting percentage – including a .786 mark (11 kills on 14 attempts) from its middle blocker, Abby Ney.
Sent one saw the Mavericks up 11-0 and go on a 4-0 run thanks to kills from both Erin Perez and Audrey Steinkirchner with a pair of blocks. The Cowgirls answered with three straight on a kill from freshmen
Tianna Matthews and
Kristin Woody – who led the Cowgirls with eight kills – around an error by Colorado Mesa, but the Cowgirls climbed no closer. Down 18-15, Highlands hit an error and Perez went on a service run to close out the first set.
Set two saw the visitors score on 10-of-11 to begin the frame. The Cowgirls climbed within seven thanks to a Woody and freshman
Riley Smith kill with two Colorado Mesa errors, but Highlands got no closer. The Mavericks outhit the Cowgirls .400-.143 in the set.
Senior
Elizabeth Gomez had four of her six kills in the final set, but it was not enough as the visitors won in straight sets.
Highlands will honor the seniors before the match Saturday night (Nov. 1) against Fort Lewis. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
