Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Colorado Mesa volleyball team improved to 8-1 on the season with a 3-0 win at New Mexico Highlands to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play Friday (Sept. 20). Highlands falls to 6-3 overall.

The Maverick offense got off to a great start in the first set hitting .378 with 19 kills and five errors on 37 attempts. CMU hit .226 (11 kills and four errors on 31 attempts) in the second set before dominating the third set with a .485 hitting percentage, including 18 kills with only two errors on 33 attempts. Overall the team hit .366 in the match.

Erin Perez and Christian Otzen each tallied a match-high 11 kills to lead the Mavericks, while Abby Ney add 10 kills on 12 attempts for an astounding .833 attack percentage.

"We showed them the way we want to play, what we call Maverick volleyball," said Abby Ney. "We look forward to getting better and better."
The defense also did its part. The Mavericks held the Cowgirls to a .198 hitting percentage with CMU finishing with a 48-36 edge in kills. Mesa also finished with a 46-36 advantage in digs.

Melissa Hess led the Mavericks with five block assists with Otzen and Perez each tallying a match-high 11 digs to go with their 11 kills for the double-double.  

"It was a great win, but we are still working to earn respect," said Sunni Rae Baird who finished with 10 digs.

Marina Samoa and Alicia Moreno each finished with eight kills for the Cowgirls.

Colorado Mesa will play at CSU-Pueblo Saturday (Sept. 21).