The Bronco volleyball team won both of their Day 1 matches in the 12th Annual NMMI Classic Volleyball Tournament, downing Scottsdale Community College in three close sets (25-19, 26-24, 25-19) in their 1:00 PM season-opener on Friday, Aug. 23, then outlasted Hutchinson Community College for a four-set win in a 7:00 PM nightcap (25-23, 21-25, 25-10, 25-14).
Sophomore libero Hula Crisostomo had an outstanding defensive match vs. Hutch, recording 30 digs vs. only one reception error, with five players paving the way on offense by collecting 8 or more kills. Sophomore Violeta Mendoza Quintana was NMMI's kill leader with 13; freshmen Alyssa Lukasik, Vittoria Price and Julia Johnson had 10, 9 and 8, respectively; and soph Gabriela Lange posted 8 kills as well.
We got into a really good rhythm in those last two sets [vs. the Blue Dragons]," said head NMMI coach Shelby Forchtner. "We started serving a little bit tougher, and our defense just let nothing hit the floor - it didn't matter what they threw at us, we just scooped it right up. Hula and Yume [Nawa], and even our setters [Barbara Celler and Tiffinay Gauspohl] were playing really good defense. We also had more a little offensive firepower. That really made the difference."
With the pair of 'W's, the Broncos start the season 2-0, but will face some tough opponents in tomorrow's Day 2 matches. First up will be Pima CC at 12:00 PM and then Arizona Western College at 4:00 PM.
Both games will be held in the Cahoon Armory gym on the NMMI campus, and the public is enouraged to come out watch soem fantastic Division I junior college volleyball action.