With the offense turning in 45 kills and hitting .250, the Western New Mexico University volleyball team took control early and never looked back on their way to defeating South Dakota School of Mines, 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 25-12), Friday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action. The win keeps the Lady Mustangs in first in the conference and are one of only three teams that are still undefeated in RMAC play.
Not only did WNMU’s (9-3, 4-0 RMAC) offense sizzle, the defense brought the block party with 10 blocks and limited the Hardrockers (2-9, 0-3 RMAC) to a .104 hitting percentage.
In the opening set the Lady Mustangs came out swinging jumping out to a 4-1 lead on a kill by Shannon Rich. It was the first of 13 kills on the night for Rich, as she led all players in kills and hit .500. South Dakota Mines rallied to tie the set at nine, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the set. Rich added another kill later in the set to extend the lead to 18-10 and down the stretch after WNMU moved to set point at 24-17, Rich ended the set with another kill at 25-17.
Leeta Grap, Heather Verrill and Melanie Hughes all strung together points midway through the second set to continue the momentum by WNMU and post an early 16-9 advantage. The Hardrockers made things interesting getting back to within three at 20-17, but again WNMU had an answer to seal the set. Verrill started the rally which was joined in by Kelli McGhiey and after another kill by Verrill, an attack error gave WNMU the 25-20 set win.
The third set swung to the home team early and South Dakota Mines didn’t let up. A Rich solo block, kill by Grap and later a double-block by Verrill and Taryn Schriner had WNMU back to within three on a couple of occasions before the Hardrockers went on to claim the set after a late Lady Mustang push at 25-20.
WNMU was then ready to end the night in the fourth set and it showed in the play. Even before anyone had a chance to settle into their seats for the fourth set, the Lady Mustangs had a blistering start and were ahead 8-0. Sheila Menezes and Hughes posted points, while WNMU collected several points on Hardrocker errors. The lead moved to 16-2 on a double-block by Verrill and Kalie Lyle and WNMU wouldn’t let up cruising to the set win at 25-12 to take the match, 3-1. Rich, Schriner and Lyle all tallied key points during the stretch to close the match. The numbers reflected the shutdown performance by the Lady Mustangs as they had 13 kills and hit .409, while limiting the Hardrockers to a negative .100.
Outside of Rich’s 13 kill performance, Grap added eight, while Verrill and Lyle added five apiece. Hughes dished out 22 assists, while on defense Ashley Mataele had 15 digs, Rich had four blocks (three solo), Verrill with three (one solo) and Menezes with two.
Mikkella Reese led South Dakota Mines with 11 kills and also added seven digs.
The red-hot Lady Mustangs will look to make it five straight victories on Saturday night when they will play at Black Hills State University beginning at 5 p.m. The Yellow Jackets swept New Mexico Highlands earlier tonight
