On Friday afternoon, New Mexico Military Institute outlasted Laramie County Community College, 3-2, in the 1 pm match before sweeping Jefferson College in the 7 pm match of Friday's NMMI Classic, 3-0. With the pair of wins, NMMI opens the year 3-0.
Match 1 vs. LCCC
Set 1
The Broncos opened day two on a hot start with a 6-1 run, forcing Laramie County Community College to call a timeout in effort to stay in the match. However, NMMI took a 10-3 advantage to establish some early offensive rhythm. Fighting back, LCCC was able to close the gap as they conducted a 5-1 run.
The Institute was not having any of it. The Broncos flexed their way to the finish line of the first set as they held a commanding 18-9 lead behind a protective defense. After an LCCC timeout, NMMI ended the set on a 7-3 run to take the first set 25-12.
Set 2
The second set was a different story, Laramie County set the tone early with the help of a 2-9 run to open the match. The Broncos attempted to cut the lead but the Golden Eagles answered every point with a few of their own. With a 17-7 lead, LCCC allowed the Broncos to creep back into the match.
NMMI conducted their own run to close the score to just a 22-19 game with a service ace by the freshman outside hitter Leila Ayala. But the comeback effort wasn't enough as LCCC took the second set 25-20.
Set 3
Following a second-set setback, NMMI opened the middle set with a quick 3-0 with a pair of kills from Michelle Mlikan and Anniston Lustig. LCCC answered with a 5-2 to knot the set at 5-5. Both teams traded points as the score was tied at 11-11 – the sixth tie of the set.
The theme continued as neither squad was able to establish a rhythm as the score was tied a couple more time and again at 21-21. The Broncos closed out the set with a 4-0 run to take the middle set 25-21 and hold a 2-1 set lead.
Set 4
The fourth set was an absolute battle by both teams. The set saw the score tied on 11 different occasions. The Broncos took a 20-19 lead with the help of a great block by Maria Konwerska. However, NMMI was not able to take advantage as they dropped the fourth set 25-22.
Set 5
Like the entire match, both teams traded points early on in the final set. LCCC jumped out to a 3-0 lead but the Broncos turned the table. Drianyeliz Ramos Cora tied the game at 5-5 with an ace. After both sides traded points, a service ace by Leila Ayala knotted the match once again at 8-8.
The Broncos secured the five-set win with a 7-2 run as they took the final set 15-10 after Anniston Lustig put an end to the match with a roaring kill.
Match 2 vs. Jefferson College
Set 1
After earning the first point of the set, the Broncos found themselves trailing early but stayed in the set with a pair of kills by Leila Ayala and Anniston Lustig to make it a 6-4 game. Down two points, the Broncos traded points with the Vikings and used a block to tie the game 11-11.
Both teams traded points as neither squad was able to gain an advantage as the score was tied at 16-16. Gaining momentum, NMMI turned great defense into offense as they took an 18-16 lead- forcing a Jefferson College timeout. After a thunderous kill by Xiomara Cobian sent the gym in frenzy, the Broncos were able to use that momentum and close out the first set 25-20 as Cobian nearly cracked the floor with a powerful kill – one of her five kills in the match.
Set 2
Jefferson College took the first point of the set but neither team was able to distance themselves early on in the set. After the score was tied at four, it was once again knotted at seven as both teams battled for every point.
However, NMMI was able to control the match with a 7-3 run to take a 14-10 lead. With rhythm and poise the Broncos held a 21-14 advantage, which forced a timeout by the Jefferson coaching staff. After Jefferson was able to cut the deficit, Michelle Mlikan made sure NMMI stayed in front with one of her eight kills on the evening to lead the Institute to a 25-19 middle-set win.
Set 3
In the final set the Broncos took a 3-0 lead. But just like the other sets, the match would be tied at 9-9 before Eduarda Bicalho put NMMI ahead 10-9 with a service ace – one of her five in the match. As both teams traded points, Drianyeliz Ramos Cora tied the set at 13-13 with her lone service ace on the evening.
Following a Jefferson College timeout, Michelle Mlikan tied the set 16-16 before Anniston Lustig recorded back-to-back kills to give the Broncos a slim 20-19 advantage. After forcing another timeout, NMMI was able to outlast Jefferson in the final set 25-23 as Mlikan secured the sweep for the Institute.
Head Coach Shelby Forchtner on the pair of wins, "We were behind all three sets, but we came back and got even with them. We used that momentum tonight to close out each set aggressively. I love that this group is willing to fight back when we're down and stay in every point. But I've also watched us dominate some sets executing our plan and they've done it really well, so we want to see more of that," Forchtner said.
UP NEXT
The Broncos close out this weekend's competition with an 8 am matchup against Tyler Junior College in the Cahoon Armory Gym.