Odessa Upsets No. 19 NMJC

No. 19 NMJC was upset on the road in Odessa in four sets (25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 27-25). 

After trailing Odessa College 2-0, the Thunderbirds battled back in the third set winning decisively 25-19. The T-Birds took that momentum into the fourth set grabbing a 24-20 lead, one point away from heading to five sets.

Odessa was able to rip off five straight points to steal a 25-24 lead from the T-Birds. The Wranglers would go on to win the fourth set 27-25, handing the Thunderbirds their second straight conference loss.

Outside Hitter Iva Popovic led the attack for NMJC with 20 kills. Maggie Machado recorded 10 kills and 10 digs in the four-set loss.

Karielys Maldonado, who had missed the T-Birds last four matches, notched seven kills in her return. Middle blocker Katrin Hardardottir posted a perfect hitting percentage with two kills.

Setter Lacie Schooley set up 40 assists and chipped in 10 digs. Libero Luiza Arsufi added 24 digs.

The T-Birds drop to 1-2 in conference and 13-6 on the year. NMJC will play Western Texas College Saturday, Sept. 24 in Hobbs at 2 p.m. MDT.