GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. --- The New Mexico Highlands volleyball team lost on the road to Colorado Mesa 3-1 (25-16, 21-25, 25-13, 25-18) on Saturday night at Brownson Arena.
After dropping the first set, the Cowgirls (3-7 overall, 1-1 RMAC) trailed 11-10 in the second set before a 4-0 run – capped by a CMU (7-3, 2-0) error – gave them a 14-11 advantage. The lead grew to as large as six as a kill by
Tiffany Matchett made it 19-13. The Mavericks got within three at 24-21, but a
Cynthia Norris kill from
Celina Naranjo gave the set to the Cowgirls 25-21.
But CMU bounced back to defeat NMHU 25-13 in the third set and 25-18 in the fourth to take the match. Matchett paced the Cowgirls with nine kills while
Stacy Johnson (who also had NMHU's lone ace), Norris and
Julie Staffler had seven each.
Celina Naranjo had a team-high 18 assists while
Samantha Sjogren added 12.
Elena Rivera finished with a match-high 21 digs.
The Cowgirls have a short turnaround in RMAC play as they travel to take on CSU-Pueblo 7 p.m. Tuesday before playing their home opener 7 p.m. Friday against Black Hills State.
