Mustangs too strong for cowgirls

Box Score LAS VEGAS, NM - Cowgirls fought but struggled against Western New Mexico's power offense. The Mustangs were able to maintain control as the New Mexico Highlands volleyball team (3-6, 1-2 RMAC) lost to WNMU in straight sets, 25-12, 25-20, 25-23, Tuesday Night (Sept. 22).
 
The Cowgirls trailed throughout the first set having given the Mustangs nine points due to errors.  Four of the eight kills that the Cowgirls produced, in the set, were by sophomore Talise Babbitt, who was assisted by senior Riley Smith on all four attempts. Smith was the assist leader of the game ending up with 24 assists.
 
Set 2 saw more of a competitive set with both teams throwing blows throughout most of the set. The girls saw their only lead in the beginning where they took advantage of the oppositions errors as well as kills by junior Caroline Hansen, who had a double-double in the match with 11 kills and 15 digs.
 
Efficiency was the Mustangs strength in the set having 13 kills on 27 attempts on route to a .370 percentage while the Cowgirls had a .222 percentage. NMHU just could never find a rhythm in the first two sets.
 
NMHU's best set was the third set where they had 15 kills and only 4 errors. They lead off the set having a six-point lead, which consisted of multiple kills from senior Andrea Nunez to give them a 13-7 advantage. Although the girls had the lead, the Mustangs would show off their powerful offense by going on a 5-0 run with 5 kills to give them the lead at the end 21-18. Down 24-21, the Cowgirls kept pushing and got two kills from Hansen, who was assisted by Smith and Senior Miranda Arredondo, but it was little too late and the Mustangs won the match on the next point.
 
The Cowgirls return to action Friday (Sep. 25) at Black Hills State University. Live stats and video will be avaible.