NMMI Sports Press
22-Oct-09

Recognition for their success on the court is starting to come for the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco Women’s Volleyball team. Already ranked No. 11 by NJCAA polls, and with four first-place and one second-place tournament finishes, now the Broncos have a member of the team selected as the NJCAA’s Division I Volleyball Player of the Week.

Tuia goes up for the attack in Oct. 14's match vs. Frank Phillips.

Sophomore outside-hitter Mercedes Tuia is that player. Cadet Tuia is one of the primary cogs in the offensive and defensive machine maintained and developed by head coach Shelby Forchtner; a machine that has steamrolled their way to 32 victories this season – just three shy of the single-season record set by last’s year’s squad, and with three more conference matches and the Region V West tournament still left to play.

Tuia, along with teammate Delores Alaimaleata, is from Pago Pago, American Samoa.  She’s been named the national player of the week for her performances in five matches last week which included conference foe Frank Phillips College and four opponents in the Western Texas College Tournament. She racked up 3.7 kills and 4.17 digs per game during that five match stint, helping the Broncos win every one. Click here for the NJCAA webpage chronicling Ms. Tuia’s achievement: NJCAA Volleyball Players of the Week.

Much like former Bronco and outside hitter Haley Hill, NMMI’s last player to be tapped for the PotW award (on Oct. 10, 2008), Tuia is an all-around player. While she doesn’t lead the Institute in any statistical categories, she lurks at the top of almost every one:

• Third in total kills with 268
• Third in total attacks with 684
• Second in service aces with 26
• Third in digs with 401
• Fourth in blocks with 3 solos and 31 assists

Congratulations cadet Tuia! Help lead the Broncos to a WJCAC title, a good Region V West Tournament showing, and, hopefully onto Nationals.

Battle at the net between Tuia and two players from Frank Phillips.