DALLAS, Texas – It was a struggle to get going this morning but the University of New Mexico volleyball team pulled together and used late strong play to move past College of Charleston in four sets, 25-23, 25-15, 19-25 and 25-17.
“I think we played a solid match,” said head coach Jeff Nelson. “I think we let down a little bit in the third set and we had a few too many errors in games one and two. Game two was a really good game for us and game four, we started slow but finished strong. College of Charleston is a good team. I am happy with the win.”
The Lobos started out 2-0 in the first set after two Cougar errors but struggled the rest of the set because of team mistakes. They had a total of 11 errors, including six attacking errors, one serve receive error and four missed serves. But the Lobos put together a late rally after a service error by the Cougars, tying the game 20-20. The Lobos went on 5-3 run to end the game that included two kills from Cassie House and a service error from the Cougars.
“In game one, we really did struggle. We need to start stronger. We kind of played back-and-forth and then pulled it out. I would like to see us be a little more aggressive and come out with fire.”
New Mexico took the second set quickly as they hit .457 for the set. It led the entire match and traded points with the Cougars up until 10 points but it balanced its play to go on a 15-7 run to finish the set 25-15. Junior transfer Simone Henderson and House led the set with four kills each.
It was a tough third set for the Lobos as they could never get into system but they regrouped and pushed back in the fourth set to take the match. The Lobos were down 12-9 in the fourth set but an ace and a kill from Julia Warren, two kills from Chantale Riddle and attack errors from the Cougars tied the game up at 13. The Lobos took control of the rest of the match finishing the set on a 12-4 run.
Riddle led the Lobos for the match with a total of 12 kills and a season-high 18 digs, her second double-double of the season. Warren put together her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 11 digs. Ashley Kelsey led the back row with 18 digs while Hannah Johnson led in assists with 36. Henderson picked up eight kills along with six blocks. The Lobos, as a team, outhit the Cougars .310 to .264.
“I thought we got great play from Chantale and from Ashley. Devanne Sours came in and hit well for us. Simone also had a big match for us in both hitting and blocking.”
New Mexico improves to 6-4 on the season and will take on Houston Baptist later this evening at the Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas. The match will be available via live stats and will start at 3 p.m. MT. Visit the volleyball schedule for the link.