In the first set, NMMI’s Mia Walker looks to get her attack past the block set by Gateway’s Savannah Fox. NMMI photo by Laura Brown
Tanner Hightower-Wilson
NMMI Sports Press
Back row overhand by Alyssa Bolander. NMMI photo by Laura Brown
The Lady Colt volleyball team opened up their season against Gateway Christian Monday evening at the Warrior Gymnasium, battling hard but falling in four games.
NMMI took an early lead in Game 1 and never lost it, winning the first set 25-21.
Thanks to a late serving run by Alyssa Bolander, the Institute coasted to the finish, taking the momentum into the second set.
“Alyssa has been playing with us for several years now and she is one of my most consistent players on the court,” coach Stephanie Schooley said. :She stepped up tonight and that’s what we needed.”
Kill attempt by NMMI’s Mia Walker. NMMI photo by Laura Brown
But the momentum wouldn’t last as the Warriors took Game 2, 25-15, also never surrendering the lead throughout the entire set.
In Set 3, the Colts broke out to an early 10-4 lead, but the Lady Warriors countered with a massive run of their own. With the NMMI down by 10, Bolander had another service run, allowing the Lady Colts to pull within five points of the Warriors, 22-17. However after several Institute errors, Gateway won the game 25-21.
Game 4 was filled with runs by both teams.
Dee Ulibarri with the dig after a Gateway kill attempt. NMMI photo by Laura Brown
The match went back and forth before reaching a tie score of 19-19. Both teams were zoned in as they rallied for the momentum and the 20th point. Gateway took that point — and eventually Game 4 and the match — 25-22.
“We had a lot of dropped balls,” Schooley said. “Just miscommunication. I told the girls that they have to trust each other and we really have to focus on playing with a purpose. Every pass, set and hit needs to have a purpose intended, not just to get a hand on the ball, but to actually get it to somebody so we can make a play out of it.”
Rilan Maloney goes up for the attack. NMMI photo by Laura Brown
The Lady Colts will have their second consecutive game on the road Tuesday against Hondo at 5:30 p.m.
NMMI will host their first home game of the 2017 season against the Hondo Eagles Aug. 29.
In the JV match, the Lady Colts lost 2-0 to the Lady Warriors.
Kill shot by Grace Tompkins. NMMI photo by Laura Brown
Abigail Valadez with the bump pass. NMMI photo by Laura Brown
