LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Coming off a pair of wins at home last week, Adams State dropped a tough five-setter at New Mexico Highlands tonight despite a match-high 21 kills by
Anna Huggins and a match-high 27 digs by
Aileen Bugas.
The Grizzlies, who fell 15-25, 25-22, 28-26, 20-25, 7-15, fall to 8-15 overall and 5-10 in RMAC action.
After dropping the opening set, ASU stormed back in set two, turning a 5-2 advantage into a 16-12 edge on a Cowboy attack error, providing a harbinger of things to come.
The Grizzlies kept the hosts at arm's length the rest of the set as a NMH service error gave ASU set point at 24-20, with Huggins providing the final blow on an assist by
Sierra Leone Sanchez.
ASU used that momentum to roll to a 4-0 lead after intermission behind a Terayah Stukes ace and three Cowboy errors.
The lead blossomed to 7-1 after an Elena Rivera ace and to 9-2 after a
Hadleigh Richardson putaway, only to have NMH roar back to catch ASU at 24-all. After the teams split the next four points, a pair of Huggins kills sealed the deal to give the Grizzlies a two-sets-to-one lead.
Adams State looked to end the match in set four, taking an early 4-2 lead on a Huggins kill and Cowboy miscue.
New Mexico Highlands, however, used a 7-2 run to take a 9-6 lead, before an ASU run brought them to a 13-11 lead after another NMH error.
The hosts, however, ended the set on a 14-7 run to even the match, setting up a winner-take-all fifth.
In the final set, NMH took six of the first seven points, and after an error gave ASU hope at 6-2, the Cowboys replied with six straight to take control of the match in the eventual 15-7 decision.
Garcia added 17 kills in the loss while Sanchez led ASU with three aces.
Adams State returns home on Saturday to host Regis University, with first serve set for 5 pm.
