DURANGO, Colo. – Behind a match-high 20 kills from senior Alina Nunez and a balanced offensive effort, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team bounced back with a 3-1 victory over New Mexico Highlands University on Saturday afternoon inside Whalen Gymnasium.
The Skyhawks (11-9, 5-5 RMAC) overcame a narrow opening-set loss to defeat the Cowgirls (3-18, 1-9 RMAC) by scores of 27-29, 25-16, 28-26 and 25-18, completing the regular-season sweep of Highlands and returning to the win column following Friday's five-set setback against Adams State.
Nunez led the offensive charge with 20 kills on an impressive .346 hitting percentage while adding 12 digs for a double-double. Sophomore Caroline Munson continued her strong weekend with 16 kills and a .290 hitting percentage, while senior Jordan DeJesus contributed 12 kills and two service aces.
Senior setter Addie Garn orchestrated the Skyhawks' attack with 52 assists, 12 digs, and three service aces, while sophomore libero Alyx Daugherty anchored the defense with a match-high 27 digs and seven assists.
Fort Lewis finished with 66 kills and a .271 hitting percentage, significantly outperforming the Cowgirls, who recorded 47 kills on .127 hitting. The Skyhawks also held advantages in digs (77-72), assists (63-47) and blocks (5-3).
Set One: New Mexico Highlands 29, Fort Lewis 27
The opening frame featured a tightly contested offensive battle as both teams traded momentum throughout the set.
Fort Lewis produced 19 kills on a .261 hitting percentage, but Highlands remained within striking distance behind 14 kills of its own. Despite the Skyhawks' offensive production, the Cowgirls capitalized in the closing moments to secure a 29-27 victory and take an early 1-0 advantage.
Set Two: Fort Lewis 25, New Mexico Highlands 16
The Skyhawks responded with a stronger defensive effort in the second set, limiting Highlands to just five kills and a negative .143 hitting percentage.
Fort Lewis recorded 12 kills while forcing the Cowgirls into 10 attacking errors, creating separation to claim a convincing 25-16 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
Set Three: Fort Lewis 28, New Mexico Highlands 26
The third frame proved to be another closely contested battle as both teams elevated their offensive production.
Fort Lewis and Highlands each recorded 17 kills, but the Skyhawks' efficiency made the difference. Fort Lewis committed just three attacking errors on 47 attempts for a .298 hitting percentage, compared to seven errors and a .227 clip for the Cowgirls.
The Skyhawks held their composure in the extended set, securing a 28-26 victory to take a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Set Four: Fort Lewis 25, New Mexico Highlands 18
With the match within reach, Fort Lewis delivered its most efficient offensive performance of the afternoon to close out the victory.
The Skyhawks erupted for 18 kills against just four attacking errors on 39 attempts, producing a match-best .359 hitting percentage. Highlands managed 11 kills while hitting .179, but Fort Lewis maintained the offensive advantage to secure a 25-18 victory.
The fourth-set performance capped an impressive afternoon for the Skyhawks, who recorded 66 kills and earned their fifth conference victory of the season.
By the Numbers
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20 – Alina Nunez led all players with 20 kills while hitting .346 and adding 12 digs.
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16 – Caroline Munson finished with 16 kills on a .290 hitting percentage.
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52 – Addie Garn dished out 52 assists while adding 12 digs and three service aces.
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27 – Alyx Daugherty led the defensive effort with 27 digs.
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.500 – Averie Dembickie hit .500 with six kills on 12 attempts without an attacking error, adding three block assists.
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66 – Fort Lewis recorded 66 kills compared to 47 for New Mexico Highlands.
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.271 – The Skyhawks finished with a .271 team hitting percentage while limiting the Cowgirls to .127.
Up Next
Fort Lewis remains at home for RMAC Power Pod competition next week, welcoming Adams State University and Colorado Christian University to Whalen Gymnasium.
The Skyhawks will look to avenge Friday's five-set loss to the Grizzlies before closing out the weekend against the Cougars.
Live statistics, streaming information and additional coverage are available at goskyhawks.com.
