Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
When everything comes together on the court and consistency can be achieved for three straight sets, the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco volleyball team can be the best team in the conference.
After two shaky opening Western Junior College Athletic Conference matches, the Broncos showed their dominance Saturday afternoon at the Godfrey Athletic Center.
NMMI used 10 service aces to sweep Clarendon College, 25-13, 25-13, 25-9 to move to 5-0 at home.
"We just finally needed to play like that in a conference match," said NMMI head coach Shelby Forchtner. "We can do that to everybody if we get out there and put our minds to it."
The Broncos (14-4, 2-1) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set. Jalen Baca tallied the first point with a service ace while Darcy Dodd pounded down a kill during the run.
NMMI never trailed in the set as it grew its lead to 10 in the middle of the game.
Kills by Katarzyna Niderla and Marian Ovalle made the score 21-11.
Barbara Guedes Rezende then put the finishing touches on the set with a kill to notch the 12-point victory.
Much like the opening set, it was the same start for the Broncos in the second set.
Dana Manu and Rezende got a pair of kills to help NMMI start a 5-0 run.
The Broncos extended their lead to nine after back to back service aces by Ovalle.
NMMI's lead grew to 11 after Ovalle slammed down another kill.
Ovalle and Niderla tallied another a pair of kills to eventually give the Broncos another double-digit win.
To start the final set, NMMI went off on an 8-0 run that included back to back service aces by Megan Waghorn.
Ovalle scored the first two points with a pair of kills.
The Broncos did not allow Clarendon to enter double digits on the scoreboard in the third set as they held a 15-point lead late in the game.
Faith Fautanu scored the final point of the set to help NMMI make quick work of Clarendon (5-17, 0-3).
Ovalle led the way with 12 kills and three service aces while Niderla chipped in with 11 kills, four digs and three block assists.
Dodd added with six kills and Rezende and Manu each finished with five kills apiece.
Waghorn recorded six service aces along with 17 assists and 10 digs. Mio Yamamoto led the defense with 14 digs.
"Everything, overall, was 10 times better than our last two conference games. That just helps our offense," added Forchtner.
The WJCAC has been a competitive gauntlet so far.
Midland College has jumped out to a first-place lead while Western Texas College is right in the heat of the race.
Meanwhile, New Mexico Junior College knocked off defending conference champion Odessa College.
During any given week, any team can spoil another squads chances at making a run for the top spot in the conference.
NMMI hosts Western Texas College at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
"I feel like people should be chasing us," Forchtner said. "We're going to have to be prepared for every single conference match, and it's going to be tough."