T-Bird (VB) Wins 3rd Straight Conference Match
The T-Birds earned their third straight WJCAC win in a four-set victory over Clarendon College on Saturday, Sept. 27.
A strong start springboarded the T-Birds into a 21-11 lead in the first set. NMJC won the first set 25-19.
The second set was knotted up at 11-11. Then, Clarendon went on a 7-1 run to take an 18-12 advantage. The Bulldogs would prevail in the second set 25-19 to tie up the match 1-1.
Clarendon was off to a hot start in the third set leading 10-3. A 12-4 run gave the T-Birds their first lead of the set 15-14. The Thunderbirds maintained a narrow lead 22-20 and went on to close out the third set 25-21.
The battle continued in the fourth set with NMJC and Clarendon tied at 17-17. On the next point, a long rally led to a kill by Ava Kincaid. Back-to-back kills by Gabriela Rebolledo put NMJC in front 20-17. NMJC did not look back and would go on to win the set 25-20 defeating the Bulldogs in four.
Outside hitter Leticia Neves recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 14 digs and 11 kills. Sophomore Deniz Akgul registered a team-high 17 kills Saturday afternoon. Kawena Crowell finished with her third double-double of the year adding 16 assists and 14 digs.
Setter Noemi Marinho ended the match with 27 assists. Libero Lauren Shiplet notched 20 digs. Freshman Elif Akarsu finished with five blocks in the four-set win.
The Thunderbirds move to 12-8 (3-1) on the year and will face Midland College on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. CDT in Midland, Texas.
