NMJC (VB) Earns 5-Set Win over Lee, Tonella Sets Blocks Record
NMJC volleyball overcame a 2-1 deficit to take down Lee College in five sets (25-19, 29-31, 23-25, 25-9, 18-16) on Friday afternoon in Midland, Texas.
The first set was knotted up at 12-12. NMJC scored three straight points to grab a 15-12 advantage. The Thunderbirds extended their lead to 20-15 and went on to win 25-19.
Lee led in the second set 24-19. The T-Birds won five straight points to continue the set and then went on to fight off two more set points. NMJC had three set points in the second set but were unable to capitalize. The Navigators were able to win the set on their eighth try 31-29.
The third set had the T-Birds in front 15-10. Lee scored seven of the next eight points to hold a 17-16 advantage. The Navigators outlasted NMJC in the set 25-23 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
NMJC was off to a good start in the fourth set leading 12-6. They went on to score eight of the next 10 points to lead 20-8. NMJC went on to win the set convincingly 25-9.
The fifth set went back-and-forth with the score tied at 13. Lee had match point 15-14 but a Leticia Neves kill saved the day and extended the match. The Navigators had a second match point 15-14. A hitting error by Lee tied the score up again at 15-15. Another hitting error by Lee gave the T-Birds match point 16-15. NMJC had their second match point 17-16 and won the match on a hitting error where Lee hit the antenna.
Middle Duda Tonella ended the match with a school-record 12 blocks and eight kills. Leticia Neves tied her career-high in kills with 16 and added 12 digs for her first double-double of the season.
Setter Noemi Marinho recorded a career-high 34 assists and 12 digs for the first double-double of her career.
Middle Zaira Romero finished with a career-high 14 kills in the five-set win. Outside hitter Andjela Sojic amassed 14 kills and eight blocks. Sophomore Rebecca Rosculet finished with a career-high 11 kills and 9 digs. Libero Zuzanna Zalewska posted 17 digs.
The T-Birds move to 2-0 on the year and will face NCTC Saturday, Aug. 23 at 8 a.m. MDT.
