Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
New Mexico
Volleyball sweeps tough New Mexico team
9/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 15, 2007
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FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Jaime Strauss was the workhorse for the Rams as they won a hard fought match against New Mexico 3-0 (30-27, 30-25, 30-19), their second sweep in Mountain West action, on Saturday night. Strauss hit .222 on 27 attempts with a team-leading 13 kills.
CSU (7-3, 2-0 MWC) found itself with a serious challenge from a strong young New Mexico team. The Rams outhit the Lobos (9-3, 0-1 MWC) and relied on strong defense to win the match. CSU led in blocks, digs, kills, attack percentage, total attacks, assists and service aces.
Game 1 was a gradual climb to the lead for CSU. The Rams were able to capture a three-point lead at 12-9 and extend it to as many as eight in the game. The Lobos made a late challenge forcing six game points before a kill by Tonya Mokelki finished the game.
Tense moments were the story in Game 2. The Rams held an eight lead before the New Mexico rally brought them to within one point. While CSU never trailed in the match New Mexico forced the Ram offense to really step up late in the game. Colorado State built the lead to 21-15 before the Lobo's began their run. Despite the Lobo's 10-9 run to the finish the Rams won the second game 30-25.
Strauss took over the third game from the beginning and refused to look back. New Mexico served up three consecutive free balls that Strauss killed instantly. CSU went up 12-4 to force the Lobo timeout and continued to extend its lead. The Rams finished Game 3 with an 11-point advantage.
"Tonight we just had a few more weapons than they did," said Head Coach Tom Hilbert. "That was the best New Mexico team I have seen since I have been at CSU. We came in with a great deal of competitiveness and it paid off tonight."
Joining Strauss in double figures were Mokelki and Danielle Minch with 11 kills each along with Mekana Barnes who added 10. Barnes hit a match-high .450 with just one error. Ashley Fornstrom finished with a double-double notching 42 assists and 10 digs. Katelin Batten led all players with 13 digs in the match.
Freshmen Jacque Davisson, Audrey Hemmings and Crystin Rodrick each saw time as defensive specialists in the match. Tessa Nelson had eight kills on .375 hitting.
The Rams will take to the road for their first MWC road matches of the season against Utah Friday Sept. 21 and BYU on Saturday Sept. 22. Both teams were ranked in the AVCA preseason coaches' poll but have struggled in MWC action thus far this season.
