Pueblo, CO- The New Mexico Highlands Women's Volleyball team stumbled against the Colorado State University-Pueblo Thunder Wolves by a score of 3-2. The Cowgirls now sit with a 5-15 overall record, and a 2-13 RMAC record.
First Set: The Thunder Wolves came out early looking to control the game as they commanded a 5-13 lead. The Cowgirls would not give up, but they could not find a way to fight back as the Thunder Wolves matched them point for point. They would not look back as they took the set 25-15. Junior
Kristin Thomas would finish the set with 5 kills. Senior
Caroline Hansen would also chip in 7 digs.
Second Set: The Cowgirls wanted to keep it close from the start this set as they came out trailing by only one (3-4). They started to slip, and trailed 4-8 before stopping play with a timeout. They were able to bring themselves within 3 points, but quickly found themselves down 10-15. The Cowgirls fought back to trail only by 2, but a serving error set them back for a moment. They went on another run to take control of the set for the first time at 21-20. The Thunder Wolves would never regain the lead as the Cowgirls closed out the set with a 25-20 lead. Junior
Shayli Schulz would go on to have 19 assists in the first two sets.
Third Set: Both teams came out fighting and neither wanted to fall far behind as the teams were tied at 7-7. The Thunder Wolves would go on to force a Cowgirls timeout as they jumped out to a 14-11 lead. They would continue this hot streak as they extended their lead to 15-20 before another Highlands timeout. They Cowgirls would fight back to make it an interesting finish as they tied it 24-24. After a back and forth battle, the Thunder Wolves would go on to win the set 29-27.
Fourth Set: The Cowgirls jumped out quickly and grabbed a 9-4 lead early on. They quickly extended their lead to 18-11, with not much resistance from the Thunder Wolves. The Cowgirls would not look back as they finished the set with a 25-20 lead, forcing a fifth set. Senior
Jasmine Dixon had 11 kills at the end of the fourth set.
Fifth Set: Schulz continued her great play as she helped the Cowgirls jump out to a 6-4 lead. The Thunder Wolves were able to threaten the lead as they brought the score to 5-6, but the Cowgirls quickly extended their lead again to 10-7. Pueblo fought hard and brought the set to a 13-13 tie, forcing a Highlands timeout. The Cowgirls fought hard but fell just short as the Thunder Wolves capitalized and took the set at 15-13. Schulz played a great game for her team, on her way to 10 kills, 41 assists, and 9 digs.
Final Score: Cowgirls-2 Thunder Wolves-3
The Cowgirls will return to action on November 4
th at 7:00 p.m. against the Westminster-Utah Griffins.
Go Cowgirls!
