CHADRON, Neb. --- The New Mexico Highlands volleyball team had its chances, but dropped a tough 3-2 decision (21-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-21, 16-14) to Chadron State on Saturday night at the Chicoine Center.
The Cowgirls (6-15 overall, 4-9 RMAC) took a 2-1 set lead on the Eagles (7-14, 5-7) after winning the third in commanding fashion 25-14. But NMHU dropped the fourth set 25-21 to force a fifth-and-deciding game.
The Cowgirls jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the fifth on the back of a 5-0 run that included a pair of kills from
Tiffany Matchett and an ace from
Camryn Nelson. The lead stayed at three at 8-5 after a
Cynthia Norris kill before a 4-1 run by the Eagles tied the set 9-9 and NMHU called timeout.
The match was tied 13-13 when a kill by Norris gave the Cowgirls match point at 14-13. But Chadron State went on a 3-0 run to take the game and the match from NMHU.
The Cowgirls had four players reach double figures in kills, led by Matchett's 15 and followed by Norris with 14 and Nelson and
Stacy Johnson with 12 apiece. Matchett also added 22 digs and a team-best three aces.
Celina Naranjo had 31 assists to lead the Cowgirls while
Soleil Gandara had 20.
Trinity Saiz led NMHU with 26 digs.
This was the Cowgirls' final regular-season road match as they play their final five matches at home, starting next weekend as they host Westminster College 7 p.m. Friday and Dixie State 6 p.m. Saturday.
