The New Mexico Highlands volleyball team played at home for the first time in almost two years and walked away with a decisive three-set victory, winning 25-21, 25-15 and 25-22 over Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe Chadron State.
Both Terayah Stukes and Keegan Lopez notched 10 kills in the match while Stukes (14), Lisi Langi (14) and Elena Rivera (12) all had double-digits in digs. Setter Soliel Gandara picked up 36 assists and the Cowgirls walked away with five blocks. The Cowgirls were more efficient from the attack in all three sets. But the second game was the most dominant when the offense notched a .464 kill percentage against .214 for the Eagles.
In the first set, tied at 1-1, the Cowgirls went on a 9-4 run on kills by Stacey Johnson, Langi and two by Angellina Oliver as well as aces from Meranda Romero and Stukes. NMHU never trailed, at one time leading 20-12. The Eagles did manage to close the gap to 24-21 before Lopez put the set away with a kill of her own on set point.
The Cowgirls (3-7, 1-1/RMAC) got hot in the second set when they reeled off four straight points early to make it 6-2, then three straight points to make it 13-8. The teams traded scores until late in the game when they outscored the Eagles 5-1 to close out the second set, 25-15.
The third set had the only real drama in the match as the Cowgirls needed to come from behind to secure their first conference victory since November 2, 2018, against Colorado State Pueblo, also at home. The 2020 season was lost due to COVID-19.
The two teams stayed within striking distance from each with neither side pulling away until Chadron State (2-6, 0-2/RMAC) converted three straight points to lead 13-10. The Eagles stayed ahead until home team tied it at 18-18. Two points later at 19-19, the Cowgirls raced to 25 points, outscoring Chadron State 6-3 to win the set, 25-22, and the match, 3-1. Johnson scored two of the last three and Langi pounded home the match winner.
Cowgirls Head Coach Tom Duke was pleased with his team. "The team was clicking on all gears. Our passing game was right on the money allowing our setter, Soliel Gandara to set to a balanced offense," he said. "First middle Angelina Oliver was intimidating, crushing slides down the line and hitting over .600. And Terayah Stukes played an outstanding all-around game and really led the team with positive leadership."
The Cowgirls hit the road to take on in-state rival Eastern New Mexico in Portales on Tuesday. First serve is at 6:00p.
