by (Albqueraue, NM) – In a fierce five-set battle, New Mexico triumphed over New Mexico with set scores of (25-21, 22-25, 19-25, 25-19, and 15-11). New Mexico initially took a lead, then had to fight back from a 2-1 deficit before ultimately closing out the exciting match in the fifth set.
Set-by-Set Recap
Set 1: New Mexico (25-21)
The first set was marked by competitive rallies but saw New Mexico gain the upper hand. Uliana Yastrub and Seenane Brewer were offensive keys early, trading first-ball kills with New Mexico State’s Kate Sinclair and Nellie Reese. New Mexico pushed their lead in the middle of the set, aided by an ace from Anna Johannson and a key block by Uliana Yastrub and Reagan Miller late to make it 17-22. Despite a late push by Maggie Lightheart and Jaelynn Kohli for New Mexico State, UNM closed the set 25-21 on a kill by Reagan Miller.
Set 2: New Mexico State (25-22)
New Mexico State bounced back to tie the match at 1-1. The set was tight, featuring multiple kills from New Mexico State’s Mia Fox and Zoe Ziegler. Mia Fox recorded a solo block to give her team a 6-4 lead. After a timeout at 10-12, New Mexico State found a rhythm, highlighted by a service ace from Maggie Lightheart to tie the game at 12-12. Late in the set, a timely ace by Nellie Reese gave New Mexico State a pivotal 21-20 lead, and a block by Kate Sinclair pushed the score to 23-20. The Aggies sealed the 25-22 victory with a final kill by Kate Sinclair.
Set 3: New Mexico State (25-19)
New Mexico State dominated the third set to take a 2-1 lead in the match. They built an early lead, thanks to kills from Mia Fox and Jaelynn Kohli, and strong net play, including a double block by Zoe Ziegler and Mia Fox that extended the lead to 6-3. NThe Aggies serving kept pressure on their opponent, earning a key ace from Bella Castro to make the score 18-11. Despite an effort by New Mexico’s Addison France to spark a late comeback, a kill by Maggie Lightheart secured the set for New Mexico, 25-19.
Set 4: New Mexico (25-19)
New Mexico responded fiercely to the Aggies two-set run, evening the match at two sets apiece. New Mexico pin hitters were effective, with Addison France and Uliana Yastrub hitting multiple kills, while the blocking proved impactful with a crucial double block from Uliana Yastrub and Zoe Leonard to make it 13-19. The Lobo’s maintained a comfortable lead through the latter half of the set, aided by an ace from Zoe Leonard late in the frame. The set ended 25-19 on a New Mexico State attack error, forcing a deciding fifth set.
Set 5: New Mexico (15-11)
In the winner-take-all fifth set, New Mexico started strong with a service ace from Madeleine Miller and capitalized on a New Mexico State error to lead 0-2. The teams traded points until New Mexico pulled away slightly, with Addison France dominating offensively. An ace by Addison France gave the Lobo’s a key 6-8 lead, prompting a timeout from New Mexico. Out of the break, New Mexico maintained their intensity, with kills from Seenane Brewer and Amanda Tremeroli helping them reach match point at 10-14. Addison France ultimately delivered the final kill, giving UNM the dramatic 15-11 set win and the match victory.
