NMMI Sports Press
The New Mexico Military Institute junior college volleyball team continued their undefeated run in conference play, downing Clarendon College at home in three sets: 25-17, 25-16, 25-14.
The quick straight-set victory allowed Bronco head coach Shelby Forchtner to try out a few different options on the court, especially with regards to her frontline attackers. Eleven players recorded kills on the night for the Institute, led by 13 from sophomore opposite Leah Linares, with sophomore middle Vitoria Oliveira close behind at 12.
"This was a good opportunity to let a lot of people play and do a really good job of maintaining the floor," said coach Forchtner. "We had a key injury and so we're going to have another middle play for the rest of the year. It's good to see them go in and be successful."
One of those middles is sophomore Adriana De Jesus. De Jesus knocked down seven kills in the match on nine attempts with no errors, good for a massive .778 hitting percentage.
Sophomore outside hitter Rhiana Todd also had an excellent night at the net with seven kills and block assist.
Defensively, NMMI was led by freshman libero Fuka Sekita's 13 digs.
Saturday afternoon's WJCAC conference win against the Bulldogs puts NMMI mark at 12-0 and 24-4 overall.
"I told our kids from the very beginning it was going to be hard to go undefeated in conference this year," continued Forchtner. "But they've set their goal to do just that. With two more games to go, if they continue to play like they are right now, I think they can do it."
Those two matches will be next week. The Broncos final match will be on the road in Borger, TX vs. Frank Phillips College on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2:00 pm CDT.
But first up is Midland College, here at home in the Cahoon Armory gym on the NMMI campus on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6:00 pm MDT. As part of the homecoming festivities, this match will feature a cancer awareness theme as part of the 2023 Cadets for a Cure campaign.
"The Cadets for a Cure campaign is going on this week and next week through Homecoming," explained Forchtner. "We're just trying to raise as much money as we can for the Chavez County Cancer Fund. They have helped a lot of employees here at NMMI and throughout the Roswell community by doing things like paying for travel and hotel expenses as families are going to Albuquerque or Lubbock to undergo treatments."