Box Score

SILVER CITY, N.M. — Western New Mexico University (11-9 overall, 9-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) rolled to easy wins in the first and second sets en route to a four-set win over Fort Lewis College (14-9, 8-7) tonight in a matchup that had major implications in the race for the final three RMAC playoff berths.

“We came out slowly,” said seventh-year head coach Shelly Aaland, “and then we started to play. I asked the girls after the match if you can't get up for a game as big as this one, then what more motivation do you need?”

The Skyhawks and Mustangs entered the week in a three-way tie with Colorado Christian for sixth place in the conference. The top eight (out of 14 total teams) advance to the RMAC championships, hosted by Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 11-13.

By the end of Friday night, UC-Colorado Springs (15-10, 9-7) had leapfrogged Fort Lewis and Colorado Christian (16-12, 8-7), while Western New Mexico had moved into sole possession of sixth place.

After a slow start that saw Western New Mexico win each of the first two sets by identical 25-17 scores, the Skyhawks came to life. They hit .375 with 13 kills and just one error to capture the third set 25-17 and jumped out to a 14-8 lead in the fourth set. For awhile, it looked like Fort Lewis might force a deciding fifth set — a pressure-packed situation that the Skyhawks have thrived in during RMAC play.

But with the score tied at 20-20, the Mustangs reeled off four straight points to force game point. A Jessica Wilson service ace narrowed the gap to 24-21, but Natali Murdock notched the last of her game-high 22 kills to ice the victory.

Fort Lewis was led by Chelsea Flaming (17 kills, 12 digs), Jessica Wilson (13 digs, 12 kills) and Taylor Hillberry (11 kills). Senior setter Adriana Saiz made her first appearance after missing five straight matches due to a knee injury and recorded 44 kills and 11 digs.

Western New Mexico received a double-double performance by Angelina Pulu (19 digs, 12 kills).

Fort Lewis travels to New Mexico Highlands (4-20, 0-15) for a 7 p.m. matchup Saturday.