NMMI Sports Press
The Broncos won their seventh-straight contest, moved to 4-0 in conference play and stayed undefeated at Cahoon Armory this season with a 3-1 win over Western Texas College on Saturday.
But the Westerners from Snyder, Texas didn't make it easy, using gritty defense to extend rallies while the Broncos played sloppy in the middle of sets. NMMI gave away 49 points off errors but managed to put away sets away behind great all-around play from veterans Leah Linares and Kekililani Helekahi.
It was a return to form for Linares, whose numbers dipped for a few matches after a lineup adjustment. The sophomore opposite from Mexico converted 17-of-34 kill attempts with four errors and had three blocks.
Helekahi put up another impressive stat line since she started taking swings over the past three matches, coupling her normal above-average defensive performance with an efficient offensive attack. The sophomore attacker-turned-setter from Hawaii had 25 digs and three blocks and assisted 22 points while also scoring 11 kills with just two errors.
Sophomore outside hitter Rhiana Todd saw extended playing time after Sarah Schubert left in the second set with apparent lower leg pain. Todd went 7-for-13 with a single error.
Four-time WJCAC player of the week Vitoria Oliveira hit well below her season average, but many of her 13 kills came at crucial moments late in close sets. Freshman middle Yuliana Favela also struggled offensively against the Westerners but assisted on five blocks.
Setter Dilean Bounds had another good outing, assisting on 28 points, serving up three aces with no errors on 25 attempts, and digging 13 balls. The freshman from El Paso fooled WTC in the first set with a nifty fake-set attack that sent several Westerners diving to the open spot Bounds spotted before taking the shot.
Freshman libero Fuka Sekita led the Broncos with 33 digs and freshman defensive specialist Momoka Minamiya added seven. The duo had just one error over a combined 24 service attempts, but also combined for eight reception errors.
Despite a .189 team hitting percentage, the aforementioned plethora of errors and the loss of a key player, the Broncos kept their home record perfect with dominant play at the end of sets and contributions from role players like Todd and sophomore middle Adriana De Jesus, who entered in the fourth set and served up the winning ace, much to the delight of her teammates and a packed armory of fellow cadets.
The Broncos (16-4, 4-0 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference play) hit the road for the next two contests against Clarendon and Midland. The Clarendon Bulldogs are 0-4 in conference and Midland is currently tied with Odessa for second at 3-1.
The next home game is Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. and will broadcast live free of charge at KSVPtv.com.