LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- In arguably one if the team's strongest overall efforts of the season, the New Mexico Highlands volleyball team led essentially from start to finish in sweeping Westminster 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-23) Friday night at Wilson Complex.
The Cowgirls (7-15 overall, 5-9 RMAC) came out on fire, leading by as much as 10 points early on against the Griffins (7-15, 5-9) and capped a dominant first game with a kill from
Tiffany Matchett to take it 25-15.
In the second game the Cowgirls and Griffins played it close until a kill from
Taley Ferrari, a pair of kills from
Julie Staffler and a kill from Matchett gave NMHU a 17-11 advantage. The Griffins came back to tie it at 21 apiece, but 4-0 run to end the game capped by kills from Ferrari and Matchett gave the game to the Cowgirls 25-21 and a 2-0 advantage.
The third game was again close early on before a trio of attack errors by Westminster and a Matchett kill made it 16-12. The Cowgirls led 24-18, but the Griffins kept battling and fought off five match points to make it 24-23. But a kill by
Camryn Nelson put the game and match away for NMHU as it broke its four-match losing streak.
Cynthia Norris led the Cowgirls with 10 kills while Matchett had nine, Ferrari had eight and Staffler added seen in a balanced NMHU effort.
Trinity Saiz led the team with 20 digs while
Celina Naranjo had a team-best 22 assists. Ferrari added a team-best four blocks while
Samantha Sjogren led the Cowgirls with three aces.
NMHU takes the court again 6 p.m. Saturday as it hosts Dixie State at Wilson Complex.
