On Wednesday evening New Mexico Military Institute improved to 9-1 at home with a 3-0 sweep over Midland College at the Cahoon Armory Gym. The Broncos moved to 22-8 on the year with a 10-3 mark in conference play. With the loss, Midland dips to 5-8 in conference play with a 13-12 overall record.
SET 1
Maria Konwerska got the scoring started for the Broncos as she opened the match with a dink that outsmarted the Midland defenders to set the tone for the first opening set. The Broncos conducted a 6-1 run to open the set after Anniston Lustig and Maria Konwerska blocked an attack attempt by the Lady Chaps.
After three consecutive block assists by Maria Konwerska, the Broncos took a commanding 14-7 lead – forcing a Midland College timeout. Following the timeout, NMMI conducted a 8-7 run as they took a 22-14 lead. Drianyeliz Ramos Cora and Xiomara Cobian each recorded a late kill to secure the first set 25-14.
SET 2
The middle set was much different. The set was tied through the first few points as neither side was able to establish any rhythm. Drianyeliz Ramos Cora tied the set at 7-7 with one of her seven kills in the evening. Ramos Cora gave NMMI an 8-7 lead with a dink over the reach of the Midland defenders.
Midland College forced a NMMI timeout after they took a 15-11 lead. After a kill by Leila Ayala closed the gap to 17-15 to start the Bronco comeback. Drianyeliz Ramos Cora recorded a service ace to make it a 19-18 game.
After a kill by Anniston Lustig, Michelle Mlikan put NMMI ahead 20-19 as she blasted a kill over the net to force a Midland College timeout. The Broncos used a 3-1 run to force another timeout as they enjoyed a 24-20 advantage. Anniston Lustig secured the middle set 25-21, as she recorded one of her nine kills on the evening to give NMMI a 2-0 set lead.
SET 3
After going down 0-5 to start the set, the Broncos flipped the switch. Anniston Lustig helped the comeback with a pair of back-to-back kills to make it 4-7 in the final set. Kae Sato recorded one of her two service aces to cut the deficit to just two, 7-5.
After a back and forth for the next couple of points, NMMI was able to tie the set at 9-9 after Michelle Mlikan came up with a set-changing kill. She later gave NMMI a 10-9 lead with another one of her 14 kills on the evening. NMMI took a controlling 11-9 lead- forcing a Midland College timeout.
Following the timeout, it was all NMMI. The Broncos didn't allow Midland to sneak back in the match as they took a 18-12 lead after Anniston Lustig smashed one over the net. Late in the set, Eduarda Bicalho gave the Broncos a 22-17 with one of her two service aces on the evening. Michelle Mlikan would secure the final set 25-19 with her final kill of the night and No. 325 of the year.
Head Coach Shelby Forchtner on the win, "I enjoyed the way we closed out the third set and in the second set how we came back after trailing as well. We've practiced being down at practice and that helps for moments like this, it gives them a belief system that they can come back and win the game and it showed tonight," Forchtner said. "We got one more at home, senior night … I hope we come and show out like we did tonight to finish off the regular season on Saturday," Forchtner said.
UP NEXT
The Broncos conclude regular season play on Saturday, November 1 when they host New Mexico Junior College in the Cahoon Armory Gym at 2 p.m. MST.