Portales, N.M- New Mexico Highlands fought hard against In- State rivals Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds in tonights match (Sept. 20
th). Highlands lost 3-1, making their record 3-4 and 0-2 in conference.
First set:
Both the teams started off strong, keeping the game close and intense. Senior RS
Jasmine Dixon was competitive and had an amazing kill, which brought highlands to a three-point lead (16-13). But with some Cowgirl's attack errors, the greyhounds caught up and had 8 consecutive points (17-23). That did not stop Senior OH Caroline Hanson from trying to get the Cowgirls back into the set. With a kill from her she helped to advance her team (20-24). With a serve error from the Cowgirls, the Greyhounds took the first set (25-20 ENM).
Second set:
NMHU started strong and received the first point by an attack error on the greyhounds. After back to back kills from Lauren Frye the greyhounds advanced their score (2-1). With a few attack errors by NMHU, the greyhound advanced their lead (7-12). After triple kills from the greyhounds, Cowgirls takes a timeout (8-14). With an attack error by Senior RS hitter Lauren Frye, NMHU gained a point (11-20). But that was not enough and Eastern takes the second set (16-25)
Third set:
NMHU had the first point of the set by Freshman
Brianna Montano. With many attack errors by the ENM, the Cowgirls took the lead (4-1). Junior
Marissa Hoffman came on hot and had a kill, giving NMHU a lead of (9-6). Eastern took a time out (10-6). As Highlands has a six-point lead, the greyhounds took another time out (13-7). As the greyhounds increase by three points the cowgirls took a timeout (16-11). After another six-point by the greyhounds the score becomes closer (18-17). Caroline Hanson had an ace advancing highlands (20-17). After back to back kills by
Brianna Montano the lady cowgirls take the set (25-22).
Fourth set:
Eastern came out ready to end this match and had the first point by a service error. Throughout the first five points each team battled for the win. By a few errors by the greyhounds. The cowgirls grew stronger and was ahead by three points (11-8). As NMHU holds the lead (19-16). With five straight kill from ENM Senior Lauren Frye, the greyhounds fought back and won the final set (25-21)
Offensive Player of the Game:
Freshman
Brianna Montano- 14 Kills and 11 Digs
Defensive Player of the Game:
Sophomore
Bryanna Lopez- 14 Digs and 1 Service Ace
