T-Birds Finish NMJC Classic with Perfect 4-0 Record
September 10, 2022

T-Birds Finish NMJC Classic with Perfect 4-0 Record

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The Thunderbirds capped off a perfect 4-0 record at the NMJC Classic with a pair of four-set wins over Otero College and Blinn College.

The morning match was controlled by NMJC in set one. The Thunderbirds won the first 12 points of the set, cruising to a 25-10 first set victory. NMJC would go on to win the match in four sets (25-10, 19-25, 25-20, 25-17).

Maggie Machado carried the T-Birds in match one with 23 digs and 18 kills. Iva Popovic continued her tear with 18 kills in the win. 

Gaby Arias posted 13 kills and 12 digs, while Luiza Arsufi posted 23 digs in the morning match. Setter Lacie Schooley chipped in 47 assists and 13 digs. Defensive specialist Milena Cernjanski notched 16 digs in the four-set win over the Rattlers.

 

The afternoon match for NMJC was a different story. The T-Birds were thrashed in the first set by Blinn 25-12. The Thunderbirds mounted a comeback, winning the following three sets over Blinn to prevail in four sets (12-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-22).

Iva Popovic set a career-high in kills with 24 in the four-set win. Maggie Machado was stellar offensively and defensively with 14 kills and 26 digs.

Gaby Arias has steadily improved throughout the year. Arias had 12 kills and set a career-high in digs with 19 in the Saturday afternoon match. Setter Lacey Schooley setup 50 assists for the Thunderbirds offense. 

Head coach Holli Reyna said she was pleased with how the classic went and the performance her team showed on both days. 

"I think the tournament went well and appreciate all the support from our athletics and administrative staff who put in the time and effort to allow it to run smoothly," Reyna said. "Team wise we played very well and as I tell the girls the best kind of coaching is no coaching because that means they are taking care of business and implementing what they work so hard for in practice. They did just that and I am beyond proud."

The Thunderbirds move to 12-4 on the season. NMJC will face off in their first conference matchup of the season against New Mexico Military Institute Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. MST in Roswell, NM.