New Mexico State 3, Kansas City 1
The Aggies remained atop the WAC standings with a four-set win over Kansas City (26-28, 25-18, 25-20, 25-15) at the Pan American Center Thursday. With the victory, New Mexico State improves to 17-10 overall and 12-2 in the WAC. The Kangaroos fall to 13-12 on the season and 7-6 in WAC play with the loss.
The Aggies out-hit the 'Roos .215 to .058. NM State also had more kills (62-42), assists (58-35), digs (67-50) and blocks (17-10). Both team had three service aces on the night.
Bradley Nash led the Aggies with 13 kills and 10 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Desiree Scott added 12 kills and seven blocks, while Stephanie Ziegler posted her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 13 digs. Ciara Brown also doubled up for the first time this season, posting 31 assists and 13 digs.
Chloe Jarema paced Kansas City with 15 kills, while Kaylyn Brandt had a double-double with 16 assists and 11 digs. Taryn Miller had a match-high 17 digs in the loss.
Utah Valley 3, Grand Canyon 1
The Wolverines picked up a four-set win over Grand Canyon (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21) in WAC action at the at the PE Building Thursday. Utah Valley improves to 18-12 on the season and 11-3 in the WAC with the win. The Antelopes drop to 9-16 overall and 3-9 in WAC play with the loss.
Utah Valley hit .211 on the match, just ahead of the .191 of the 'Roos. The Wolverines also posted more kills (62-53), assists (54-52) and service aces (6-3), while the Antelopes had more digs (82-77) and blocks (16-8).
Kalani Norris led UVU with 16 kills and 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Katie Fritzler added 12 kills, while Brookelyn Hall had her ninth double-double of the year with 43 assists and 18 digs. McKenna Tait had 28 digs and four service aces in the victory.
Hayleigh Friemoth posted her fourth double-double of the season with a match-high 19 kills and 14 digs. Lanie Muys added 13 kills and seven blocks, while Kaitlynn Ausmus finished with 11 kills. Kristen Johannsen had a match-high nine blocks, while Mackenzie Phelps tallied 28 digs.
Texas-Pan American 3, Chicago State 1
The Broncs defeated the Cougars in four sets (25-14, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22) in WAC action at the UTPA Fieldhouse Thursday. With the victory, Texas-Pan American improves to 13-17 overall and 2-11 in WAC play. The Cougars fall to 2-26 on the season and 0-13 in the WAC.
The Broncs hit .230 on the match, compared to the .164 of Chicago State. UTPA also had more kills (55-42), assists (49-40), service aces (9-3) and digs (64-58). Both teams had six blocks on the evening.
Maria Kliefoth led the Broncs with 15 kills on .583 hitting and five blocks. Haley Durham added 14 kills, while Alisha Watson posted a double-double of 10 kills and 11 digs. Nycole Masaki dished out 46 assists, while Krysta Freitas had a team-best 15 digs.
Chicago State was paced by Paula Sioto's double-double of 21 kills and 10 digs. Mackenzie Lotter tallied 37 assists, while Julia Menhart had a match-high 17 digs.