Las Vegas, New Mexico - The Cowgirls are on the road this week traveling to Hays, Kansas, to play in the 2025 Tiger Classic at Fort Hays State on Thursday and Friday. NMHU went 3-1 at last weekend's Mustang Invitational at Western New Mexico University.
NMHU HEAD COACH:
Meg Grose is in her second season at New Mexico HIghlands. She earned her first win as the head coach of the Cowgirls over Sul Ross State on September 13th and her first conference win against Adams State on September 20th, 2024. She was previously the head coach at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.
LAST TIME OUT: The Cowgirls logged wins over Lone Star Conference foes Eastern New Mexico, Sul Ross State, and Western New Mexico at the Mustang Invitational in Silver City. The lone setback of the weekend came against Fort Lewis in a 3-1 loss in Friday's second match.
Outside hitters
Aziza Morris and
Meg Pfannerstill were named to the Mustang Invitational All-Tournament Team.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: The Cowgirls open play in Hays against the host Tigers at 10:30 am (MT) on Thursday. FHSU went 3-1 in their Tiger Invitational last weekend with wins over Cameron, Arkansas Tech, and Kansas Wesleyan. The lone loss came against Rockhurst. Middle blocker Ashlyn Reeves and setter Abrey Galt were named to the All-Tournament Team. Jessica Wood-Atkins is in her eighth season at Fort Hays State. The Tigers won the last meeting between the two teams 3-1 in the 2023 Tiger Classic.
NMHU plays Bethel College on Thursday at 6:00 pm (MT) to close out Day One action in the tournament. The Threshers are 7-7 on the season and are led by fifth year head coach Adriana Leake. Bethel is a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. This is the first meeting between NMHU and the Threshers.
The Cowgirls have a short turnaround as they return to the court at 8:00 am (MT) on Friday to face Augustana out of the NSIC. The Vikings opened the season with a 3-1 record at Chadron State's Eagle Classic last weekend. They have recorded wins over Black Hills State, host Chadron State and St. Martin's. The lone loss of the weekend came against nationally ranked Northern State. Jennifer Jacobs is in her ninth season as head coach at Augustana. The Vikings won the only previous meeting between the two teams 3-0 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on September 10, 2021.
NMHU closes out the weekend with a match against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Friday at 3:30 pm (MT). The Rangers went 1-3 at the Missouri S&T Volleyball Tournament last weekend . They defeated the host Miners for their lone victory of the weekend and dropped matches to Missouri Southern, Minnesota State, and Christian Brothers. Jon Bingesser is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Rangers. The Cowgirls and the Rangers split the last two meetings in the series with NWOSU winning 3-1 in San Angelo, Texas, in the 2019 season and the Cowgirls taking a 3-1 decision in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 2013.
"We are coming off a strong opening weekend going 3-1. The team is looking forward to getting back in the gym and competing," said Coach
Meg Grose. "It will be tougher competition this weekend and really give us another chance to work out the kinks before we start RMAC play next week. We are very excited!"
2025 COWGIRL ROSTER BREAKDOWN:
By Class:
Freshman 4
Sophomore 3
Junior 7
Senior 3
By Home State:
New Mexico 9
Texas 3
Wisconsin 1
Arizona 1
Colorado 1
American Samoa 1
France 1
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Details on LiveStats and the MIAA Network broadcast can be found at the
Tiger Classic Homepage.
UP NEXT: The Cowgirls play their 2025 home opener next Friday when Westminster visits historic Las Vegas for a 5:00 pm match.
COME SEE THE COWGIRLS: Season tickets for the 2025 volleyball season are available at
NMHUahletics.com/Tickets.
