Volleyball Sweeps Clarendon, Stays 3rd in WJCAC
The T-Bird volleyball team came from behind to defeat Clarendon College in four sets on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The Thunderbirds won the match 25-27, 25-14, 25-19, 25-22.
Clarendon College was competitive this week winning the first set for the second straight time in their two matchups. The Bulldogs led 24-20 in the first set, but NMJC fought off four set points to tie the lead at 24-24. The T-Birds even had set point 25-24 however the pesky Bulldogs scored three straight points on a kill, a block, and a kill that was deflected out of play which won set for Clarendon 27-25.
The loss in the first set lit a fire into NMJC as they took a commanding 16-6 lead in Set 2. The Thunderbirds went on to win the second set 25-14 to even the sets up at one apiece. NMJC took a 2-1 set lead after winning the third set 25-19.
Clarendon had the better of NMJC in the fourth set leading the T-Birds 17-16. NMJC scored four straight points to take a 20-17 lead over the Bulldogs. Clarendon battled back and knotted the score up at 20-20. NMJC went on a 3-0 run which was countered by a 2-0 run to make the score 23-22 in favor of the T-Birds. A Leticia Neves kill and a service ace from Zaira Romero ended the match with the Thunderbirds securing a 25-22 win in Set 4.
Outside hitter Andjela Sojic finished with 15 kills on the night. Setter Sude Omerickoglu finished with a match-high 22 assists. Sophomore Taina de Lima Nunes registered 21 assists, nine digs, and three service aces.
Leticia Neves recorded 18 digs and 11 kills in the four-set win. The freshman outside hitter has registered six double-doubles so far this season. Middle blocker Zaira Romero recorded nine kills and five blocks.
Freshman middle blocker Duda Tonella finished with seven blocks. Outside hitter Ava Kincaid notched 14 digs and eight kills. Libero Sofie Caballero ended the match with a team-high 19 digs.
The Thunderbirds improve to 16-9 (6-3) and are third in the WJCAC standings. The T-Birds will face New Mexico Military Institute Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. MDT in Roswell, NM at the Cahoon Armory.
