LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands volleyball bounced back from Friday's home-opening loss to Black Hills State and a loss in the first game Saturday to put together three impressive sets to beat South Dakota Mines 3-1 (17-25, 26-24, 25-13, 25-20) at Wilson Complex.
"I wasn't surprised yesterday because Black Hills State played very well," NMHU coach
Dwight Combs said. "We are just a young team – even our seniors, they are just in their second year here. We are just focused on feeding the root and improving. … Tonight South Dakota Mines fought hard until the end and I told the girls in the locker room that if we have to play them again, we better get better because they are going to continue to get better. … But I was proud of the kids – they showed some composure."
After dropping the first game Saturday 25-17, the Cowgirls (5-8 overall, 3-2 RMAC) jumped out to a 4-2 advantage capped by a
Tiffany Matchett ace. The Hardrockers (3-9, 1-3) bounced back and took a 10-6 lead and continued to lead until a pair of kills by Matchett, one by
Taley Ferrari and a passing error on South Dakota Mines turned NMHU's 18-17 deficit into a 21-18 lead. The Hardrockers came back to tie the match at 23-23 and 24-24 before back-to-back attack errors on South Dakota Mines gave the Cowgirls the set at 26-24 to even the match 1-1.
The Cowgirls dominated the third set – jumping out to an 11-2 lead and never looking back on its way to a 25-13 victory, capped by a pair of
Camryn Nelson kills.
In the fourth game, NMHU again took an early lead at 9-4 after a 5-0 run that included a
Samantha Sjogren ace. The Hardrockers got within two at 15-13, but never got closer as the Cowgirls closed the match out 25-20 on a
Trinity Saiz ace.
Nelson – a freshman – led the Cowgirls with a career-high 14 kills to go along with 12 digs while Matchett finished with 10 kills, 18 digs and two aces and
Cynthia Norris had 10 kills.
Celina Naranjo had a team-high 27 assists and three aces while
Samantha Sjogren had 18 assists.
Elena Rivera added 18 digs as well.
The Cowgirls return to the road next week as they travel to take on Regis and Colorado Christian Friday and Saturday, respectively.
