Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press

Four more New Mexico Military Institute Bronco volleyball players will be continuing their careers at the next level.

Defensive specialist/libero Kristijana Istuk will be attending NAIA Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.

Current Bronco assistant coach Camila Araujo attended the school from 2014-2016, where she starred as an outside hitter.

"It's amazing that I'm going there because I can be a part of something that she was (part of)," Istuk said. "I'm really excited for the competition and to see the beautiful campus."

Istuk played in 63 sets for NMMI this past season, tallying 35 assists, six service aces and 248 digs.

She had a season-best 29 digs during a four-set match against Missouri State University-West Plains on Feb. 6.

Istuk appeared in 42 sets as a freshman as she recorded 70 digs, six service aces and seven assists.

"NMMI prepared me (very well)," she said. "Everything has to be organized here, we always have to be on time. I think I'll be ready to go and play at the next level."

It was a tedious and long process but outside hitter Julia Johnson is getting to live her dream by attending Army West Point next school year.

She will get a chance to play alongside Peyton Schendt, a former NMMI standout that played in 2018.

"This is my third year applying and last year when I found out I didn't get in I was really heartbroken," Johnson said. "When I found out that all the hard work has paid off it was surreal for me.

"I was pretty hysterical, but I'm really excited and looking forward to it."

Johnson finished her two-year career with the Broncos recording 557 kills and 75 total blocks.

This past season she played in 77 sets tallying 190 kills, 22 service aces, 30 total blocks and 194 digs.

Johnson was a big part of NMMI's offense as she had 10 or more kills in a match on nine occasions.

She posted a game-high 16 kills in a four-set win over Trinity Valley Community College on Jan. 28.

A Western Junior Athletic Conference Player of the Week, she ranked fifth in the conference with a hitting percentage of .276, eighth in service aces and fifth in points with 230.5.

Johnson was one of four players to earn WJCAC first-team honors.

"Spending two years at NMMI I feel like has really prepared me for what I need to do academically, physically and mentally," Johnson added.

Defensive specialist/setter Tiffinay Gauspohl will take her talents to NCAA Division II Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colo.

Playing under head coach Shelby Forchtner has helped prepare Gauspohl for the next chapter in her life.

"For me, I would feel like just the competitive level definitely helped us get to being able to play at the next level," said Gauspohl. "It's pretty much the same competition and with her background, I feel like moving on is going to be easier for the next step that we go to."

She caps off her two-year career at NMMI with 981 assists. Playing in 23 matches this season, she recorded a team-high 405 assists, averaging 5.26 a game.

Gauspohl also finished with 18 service aces and 189 digs.

Her season-high 30 assists came during five-set match against Missouri State University-West Plains on Jan. 23.

Earning first-team all-conference recognition, she ranked 12th in the WJCAC in service aces and assists per set.

Outside hitter/opposite Heleine Filipe will join former NMMI volleyball player Gabi De Jesus Colon at NAIA Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo.

Filipe finished with 111 kills, 31 digs and 44 total blocks in 76 sets played this past season.

In her two-year career with the Institute, she tallied 246 kills, 110 blocked shots, 85 digs and three service aces.

She had a season-high nine kills during a three-set win over Midland College on March 13.

"I was put in situations that I never thought I would do. I grew to (be) a better person and it helped me realize that it was actually good for me," said Filipe about attending NMMI.

Competing during the COVID pandemic required NMMI to spend a lot of time on the road due to the strict restrictions in New Mexico while also handling business in the classroom and all the duties required within the corps.

Despite all that, the Broncos handled it with grace and a bright smile.

"I'm just glad that they have the opportunity," Forchtner said. "Every single one of these kids have contributed to our program in a positive way whether it's been on or off the court. It's just a blessing for us.

"They'll be able to contribute for the most part right away at all of their schools. We had a great group of girls that persevered through more than any college team in the nation."