Las Vegas, N.M.,   The Mountaineers earn third straight win after defeating the Cowgirls on the road.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Western Colorado def. N.M. Highlands 3-1 (25-22, 25-16, 17-25, 25-15)
Records: Western Colorado 6-11 overall (4-3 RMAC) | N.M. Highlands 4-14 overall (2-6 RMAC).
Location: New Mexico Highlands | Las Vegas, N.M. John A. Wilson Complex

HOW IT HAPPENED

• An intense, back and forth, match began with Highlands earning the first score 1-0. Ball handling error and kill by sophomore Kacee Garcia put the Mountaineers up 2-1. A few scores exchanged but WCU went on a small run, going up 13-4. NMH, persistent, came close but WCU held their ground, unwilling to give up their lead. The Mountaineers offense was too strong to compete with. NMH came within two, but WCU put set one away 25-22.
• Western Colorado carried the momentum from set one into set two. Senior Seyun Park got things started with a kill. NMH matched the kill but then the Mountaineers jumped out to an 8-5 advantage. Kills by junior Pelin Aksoy (2) and sophomore Kyra Kidd extended WCU's lead 14-8. The battle continued but the Mountaineers had the leg up, taking set two 25-16.
• The Cowgirls were not giving up without a fight. WCU struck first 1-0, but highlands secured a 9-4 edge. The Mountaineers continued to fight, adding a few more points. NMH had the drive, taking over and conquering WCU in set three 25-17.
• New Mexico Highlands was awarded the first point, but Western Colorado had an answer.  Points, lead changed, and ties went back and forth until WCU took control gaining a 15-9 edge. Seniors Nur Turkmenoglu, Kennedy Kelly and Park secured the 25-15 win for the Mountaineers as they collectively scored WCU's final six points.

 
NET NOTES

• Park paved the way on offense with 27 kills followed by junior Olive Rolseth with nine and Aksoy Kelly respectively with eight.
• Turkmenoglu set up her teammates earning 45 assists. She also contributed nine digs, four blocks assists and five kills.
• Freshman Grace Devall and sophomore Chinaru Inoue led the defense both recording 16 digs. Also contributing to the defense were sophomore Kyra Kidd and Kelly respectively earning 4 block assists.

UP NEXT
Mountaineer Volleyball will host the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs on Friday, October 25 at 6pm in Paul Wright Gym, for an RMAC match.

For more information visit gomountaineers.com.