NMJC Takes First in WJCAC, No. 10 in NJCAA Poll
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
25 | 16 | 21 | 17 | 1 |
|
|
22 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Team Stats
Odessa College
| Game Statistics | Odessa College | New Mexico Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .179 | .267 |
| Blocks | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Digs | 52 | 81 |
| Aces | 4 | 11 |
No. 16 New Mexico Junior College defeated Odessa College in four sets 22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-17 on Saturday afternoon to take sole possession of first place in the WJCAC.
The T-Birds started the match trailing 18-9 in the first set. A valiant effort by the Thunderbirds brought the first set in reach, however Odessa finished off the T-Birds in the first set by three points.
NMJC was able to settle down in the next three sets and take control of the match winning 25-16, 25-21, 25-17.
Freshman outside hitter Iva Popovic led the Thunderbirds with 16 kills and 20 digs. This was Popovic's 14th double-double of the season. The Belgrade, Serbia native is fourth in the NJCAA in kills with 425.
Sophomore outside hitter Maggie Machado chipped in her 15th double-double of the year with 11 kills and 12 digs. Freshman outside hitter Gaby Arias rounded out the attack with nine kills. Sophomore setter Lacie Schooley added 34 assists and sophomore libero Milena Cernjanski registered 18 digs in the four-set win.
Head coach Holli Reyna said she knows how big this win is for her program going forward as the T-Birds look to win the WJCAC for the first time.
"Winning against Odessa and taking sole possession of first place from them reaffirms the goal we have had all year long," Reyna said. "Our goal has been to get one percent better every day. If we stay committed to that goal, we will stay on top and win the conference."
The Thunderbirds are 20-6 on the season and 8-2 in the WJCAC. There is a four-way tie for second place in the conference at 7-3 between NMMI, Odessa College, Midland College, and Frank Phillips College.
Iva Popovic was named NJCAA Region V Player of the Week. The T-Bird outside hitter recorded 41 kills and 37 digs over the two-match span last week.
The Thunderbirds have risen six spots in the national rankings to No. 10 in the country. This is the first time in program history NMJC has cracked the Top 10 in the NJCAA National Volleyball Poll.
No. 10 NMJC will play Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. CDT.
