Cowgirls hit the road to begin RMAC play

This Week in NMHU Volleyball

 
LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands volleyball team heads into Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action this week as the Cowgirls travel to take on Western State on Friday and Colorado Mesa on Saturday.
 
LAST WEEK FOR THE COWGIRLS | SEASON STATS
The Cowgirls were at the South Central Classic last weekend and went 2-2, defeating Southern Arkansas in five sets and East Central in four sets while falling to host Southeastern Oklahoma State in a five setter and to Washburn in four sets.
 
Tiffany Matchett paced NMHU on the weekend with 44 kills while adding 50 digs and six blocks. Freshman Camryn Nelson was second on the team with 36 kills to go along with 44 digs and a team-best five aces while Julie Staffler had 35 kills and 12 blocks, Cynthia Norris had 34 kills and 12 blocks, Taley Ferrari had a team-best 14 blocks, Celina Naranjo had a team-best 89 assists and five aces, Samantha Sjogren had 67 assists and Elena Rivera led the team with 82 digs (she's seventh in the conference at 4.64 digs per set).
 
On the season, Matchett (2.30) and Nelson (2.00) are both averaging two or more kills per set while Staffler (1.95) and Norris (1.74) aren't far behind. Naranjo (4.31) and Samantha Sjogren (3.71) have split the setting duties for the most part for the Cowgirls this season.
 
ABOUT WESTERN STATE COLORADO | SEASON STATS
The Mountaineers were also at the South Central Classic this last weekend and broke an 0-7 start to the season by beating Southern Arkansas in three sets in their tournament finale. Six of their seven losses this season have been in three sets, though this will be their first home match of the season on Friday. Kirsten Companik (49 kills), Kathleen Kasel (42) and Chelsea Bostwick (40 kills) lead the team in attacking while Hanna Hendrickson (191 assists) is the team's primary setter.
 
ABOUT COLORADO MESA | SEASON STATS
The Mavericks are coming off a 3-1 weekend at the Rockhurst Classic in Kansas City, Mo., falling in the opener to host Rockhurst (ranked No. 6 in the nation) in three before beating Northwest Missouri State, Emporia State and William Jewell. Kasie Gilfert is fifth in the conference in kills per set at 3.17 (95 total) and fourth in blocks per set (1.13 – 34 total). CMU's other key hitters are MacKenzie Edwards (3.09 kills per set), Camille Smith (1.67) and Katie Scherr (1.61). Ara Norwood leads the team in assists (5.28 per set) while Taylor Woods is second in the conference in digs per set (5.17 – 155 total).