CANYON, Texas – Adams State ran into another buzzsaw this afternoon in its second match of the Britkare Lady Buff Classic, this time falling to Northwest Missouri State, 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-20).
The Grizzlies dip to 0-2 on the year, while NWMS improves to 2-0.
Unlike its earlier match this morning, ASU was unable to generate much of an offense in the opener, tallying just eight kills while committing six attack errors.
The Bearcats raced to a quick 6-0 lead before a
Cindy Garcia hammer got ASU on the board. The Grizzles crept to within six points at 15-9 on another Garcia kill, but NWMS went on a 10-3 spurt to put set one away, 25-12.
Adams State looked refreshed after the first set, taking a 3-0 lead behind a
Madeleine Benally service ace sandwiched between two kills.
The Bearcats, however, awoke from their slumber, winning nine of the next 11 points to take a 9-5 lead before pushing their advantage to 20-10 deeper into the set.
An
Anna Huggins putaway temporarily stopped the bleeding to bring the score to 20-11, but NWMS took the final three points of the set to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Set three saw a more competitive frame as the two teams split the first 16 points, only to see the Bearcats earn four-consecutive points to take a 12-8 lead. That's where the lead hovered until a Garcia service ace and kills by
Cora Ellis, Benally and
Natalie Gallegos knotted the score at 16-each.
The two teams tied again at 17, before the Bearcats pushed across another four-point burst to seize control of the match.
Despite another Garcia kill and two errors from NMSU, the Bearcats again scored the set's final three points to put the Grizzlies away, handing ASU its second-straight sweep.
Garcia led ASU with seven kills as no player reached the double-digit kill mark, while
Aileen Bugas paced all defenders with 12 digs. Benally added 21 assists in the setback.
The Grizzlies continue tournament action tomorrow with two matches, taking on the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs at 9 am (CT), followed by a clash against St. Mary's University (TX) at 4:30 pm (CT).
