Silver City, N.M. – Western New Mexico University volleyball dominated in their first home performance this past Friday as they swept Cameron University (2-10, 0-4 LSC) in a 3-0 win.
It was a close first set as neither teams were able to establish an early lead. With WNMU up 14-10, they began some momentum by going on a 7-1 run which was started off by a CU error. A kill from Mustang’s Hannah Tishlarich put the game within one point and later an error from the Aggies gave the Mustangs the set win, 25-15.
WNMU kept momentum rolling in the second set taking a quick 6-1 lead thanks to couple kills from Shannon Rich and a Kalie Lyle ace. Later in the set, a block from Heather Verrill extended the Mustangs lead, 17-7. A serving ace from Melanie Hughes gave WNMU the final set point, 25-14.
The Aggies would not go down easy in the third set. They took a 3-1 lead but the Mustangs fought back to tie the game, 3-3, when Lyle scored on a serving ace. Lyle would also earn herself another serving ace that increased the WNMU lead, 6-3. Later in the set, Hughes set up a kill for Verrill that would push the lead to six, 16-10. When the game seemed to be in the hands of the Mustangs with the score 24-16, CU fought back to score four points in a row to cut the deficit to 24-20. This was close as WNMU would let them get as Kali Iago stepped up with a kill to take the set and the win, 25-20.
The Mustangs dominated in their hitting percentage with .369, while limiting the Aggies to .120. Samantha Haupeakui and Rich led the team in kills with each hitting 10 a piece followed by Verrill with eight. Hughes came away with the most assists with 24, while Ashley Mateale led with 18 digs.
WNMU volleyball (9-4, 1-1 LSC) will be back on the court tomorrow at home as they square off against Midwestern State University at 3 p.m.
