T-Birds Enter Postseason on a Four-Match Winning Streak

The T-Birds cruised to a school-record 26th win in a three-set victory over Amarillo College on Saturday afternoon (25-16, 25-22, 25-23). The Thunderbirds surpassed last year's record-setting season that featured 25 wins and a WJCAC Championship.

Sophomore outside hitter Iva Popovic led the way for the T-Birds with 13 kills and six digs in the contest. Freshman setter Taina de Lima Nunes tallied 15 assists and four digs in the final win of the regular season. Freshman Sude Omerickoglu set up 14 assists and seven digs.  

Sophomore outside hitter Gaby Arias notched seven kills and four digs. Sophomore right side Polianna Hernandez recorded seven digs, five kills, and four blocks. Sophomore right side Olivia Swipiarski registered five kills and freshman libero Sofie Caballero finished the match with 12 digs. 

NMJC 26-4 (11-3) ends regular season play in second place in the WJCAC and now looks toward the postseason. The T-Birds will be at the Region V Championship in Weatherford, Texas inside the Betty Jo Graber Athletic Center on the campus of Weatherford College.

The eight team double-elimination tournament between the WJCAC and NTJCAC takes place Nov. 2-4 with the champion earning an automatic bid to the national tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. The loser of the championship game will have a chance to snatch the second automatic bid if they beat the winner of the consolation bracket.

The championship is set to take place Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. CDT with the second-place game starting at 1 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Nov. 4.

The No. 2 seed T-Birds will face NTJCAC No. 3 seed Hill College Thursday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. CDT. The Thunderbirds are 8-2 against common opponents, while Hill College is 6-8 versus common opponents.

To watch the livestream of NMJC vs. Hill match click here.