T-Birds Defeat Plainsmen for First Conference Win of 2023
No. 3 NMJC won in three sets after surviving a slow start to Wednesday night's match versus Frank Phillips College.
The first set for NMJC was a battle. The T-Birds called two timeouts early in the set and trailed 13-9. Frank Phillips pushed the lead to six points in the set as NMJC trailed 17-11. Then, the Thunderbirds began to show signs of life.
Olivia Swipiarski notched two kills and Iva Popovic rattled off two aces during the 6-0 run that evened up the score at 17.
NMJC traded points back-and-forth the rest of the set and sat at a stalemate with the score 23 apiece. Polianna Hernandez registered the go-ahead kill and Iva Popovic finished off the first set with a kill as well to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set was competitive at the start with the score tied 10-10. The T-Birds would outscore the Plainsmen 15-3 over the next 18 points to easily win set two 25-13.
The Thunderbirds had the advantage most of the third set. They maintained a four-point lead most of the set until the Plainsmen cut the lead to two points, 23-21. Karielys Maldonado registered a kill to bring the T-Birds within one point of winning the match 24-21. The Plainsmen recorded a kill on the next point, but a hitting error gave the match to NMJC 25-22.
Outside hitter Iva Popovic was a top performer against the Plainsmen recording nine kills, eight digs, and two service aces. Sophomore Gaby Arias finished with 10 digs, eight kills, and two service aces. Polianna Hernandez chipped in seven kills during the three-set victory.
Right side Olivia Swipiarski finished with seven kills and middle blocker Nickilah Whatley recorded six blocks and five kills on an .833 kill percentage Wednesday evening.
Setters Sude Omerickoglu and Taina de Lima Nunes finished with 19 and 14 assists respectively. Libero Addison Carillo added 10 digs in the win.
The No. 3 T-Birds 16-1 (1-0) will be back in action this weekend in Hobbs at 2 p.m. MDT against Clarendon College. The Bulldogs will be led by former NMJC assistant Dezi Marmolejo.
In historical news, the T-Birds are now ranked No. 3 in the country. The No. 3 ranking is the highest in program history.
