LAS VEGAS, NM – The Northwestern Oklahoma State Volleyball team battled to a split on day one of the Meadow City Classic defeating to Eastern New Mexico in five sets and losing to New Mexico Highlands in four.
The Rangers won their first contest of the day in, taking down the Greyhounds in five sets.The first set was a nail biter form the onset as both teams traded the lead. Northwestern was able to separate away from Eastern New Mexico late in the set with a 14-8 run to take the set.
Kemelly Baez Miecznikoski lead the Rangers offensively with four kills in the set.
Northwestern controlled set two in its entirety in route to a 25-13 set win. The Greyhounds scored a few points out of the gate but the Rangers remained unphased and never surrendered their lead.
Kaylah Thomas paced the Rangers in the second set offensively recording eight kills.
The third set went to Eastern New Mexico 25-17, the Greyhounds took and early lead and despite a tough fight form the Rangers never relinquished the lead. Tess de Zanet was a bright spot for Northwestern offensively with five kills in the set.
The Rangers battled in the fourth set but the Greyhounds grabbed the momentum half way through the set and never looked back to win 25-10 and send the match to the fifth and final set.
Northwestern won the game in a tough fought fifth set 15-11. Northwestern found themselves down midway through but never waivered and closed out Eastern New Mexico with a 10-5 run.
Game two of the day was a four-set loss to New Mexico Highlands. The Cowgirls lead things from the jump, as they got out to a quick 5-0 lead over the Rangers. Northwestern fought back hard to tie the game at 8. The two sides traded points after that, until New Mexico Highlands took control again at 12-11. Northwestern continued to claw their way back but could not overcome the deficit.
Ivanny Blackwood lead the Rangers offensively in the set.
The Rangers dropped a tight set two to the Cowgirls, after New Mexico Highlands got out to an early lead once more. The Rangers rallied all the way back to bring the Cowgirl lead to just one point at 9-8, Northwestern stayed with New Mexico Highlands through the rest of the set but just could not grab the lead and fell in set two.
The third set mirrored the first two as the Rangers got down early in the set but found a way to climb back in it. Northwestern used a 8-4 run to take an 18-15 lead. Northwestern kept momentum on their side from that point on to win set three.
Northwestern found themselves in an early hole again at the start of the fourth set however this time they could not over come, falling to New Mexico Highlands three sets to one.
The Ranger will be back on action tomorrow for day two of the Meadow City Classic starting at 10 a.m.
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