The Odessa College volleyball team prevailed against New Mexico Junior College in a battle between two nationally-ranked teams in a Western Junior College Athletic Conference game Wednesday at the OC Sports Center.
The No. 10-ranked Lady Wranglers won in four sets, winning by scores of 25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 25-21 against the No. 20 Lady Thunderbirds.
It was the Lady Wranglers’ second win of the season against New Mexico Junior College as Odessa College improved to 21-7 overall, 9-2 in WJCAC.
The Lady Thunderbirds fell to 16-11, 6-5.
“I think this team just rises up to the occasion,” Odessa College head coach Dayana Acevedo-Rios said. “I think we found a way and that’s something about this sport. It’s not always pretty but we just worked together as a team and showed some resilience and I think we did a good job of that today.”
The Lady Wranglers also defeated New Mexico Junior College in four sets in both teams’ last meeting back on Sept. 28 in Hobbs, N.M.
“It always feels good to get a win but every team in our conference is tough,” Acevedo-Rios said. “For us, we can’t take a day off. We have to find a way to win. We have to adapt and adjust. I think getting a win the second time around against any opponent is tough.”
With the victory, Odessa College-which currently sits in second place in the WJCAC standings- manages to keep some pressure on first-place New Mexico Military Institute with three games remaining in the regular season.
New Mexico Junior College remains in third place in the WJCAC standings.
“I think overall, we’re trying to take small steps forward,” New Mexico Junior College head coach Holli Reyna said. “I think we’re just working on our consistency and IQ. We’re getting there.”
The Lady Wranglers were well in control of the first set, taking a 17-11 lead.
It was 22-16 soon after.
Odessa College closed out the first set with the 25-17 win.
New Mexico Junior College came out much stronger in the second set, taking a 10-6 lead before Odessa College called a timeout.
The Lady Wranglers came out of the timeout on a 5-0 run.
Odessa College kept its foot on the gas pedal and soon built a 15-11 lead.
However, the Lady Thunderbirds used a 5-1 run to tie things up.
They came out of a timeout with a kill to put NMJC over the top, 17-16.
The Lady Thunderbirds soon had a 21-18 advantage.
New Mexico Junior College held on for the 25-22 win to even things out at 1-1.
The Lady Wranglers began the third set on a 9-4 run.
A kill by Tully Bew made it 18-13 for Odessa College.
It wasn’t long before the Lady Wranglers had a 21-16 lead.
A kill by Amyah Collins then gave the hosts a five-point advantage.
Odessa College closed out the set with the 25-18 win to take a 2-1 overall lead.
A kill by Mana Kaneko gave the Lady Wranglers a 6-2 lead in the fourth set.
Consecutive errors by the Lady Thunderbirds helped Odessa College to a 17-8 lead.
However, New Mexico Junior College responded with a 7-0 run and Odessa College called a timeout.
The Lady Wranglers came out of the timeout with a kill by Lauren Dale.
Odessa College soon built a 21-16 advantage and would not be denied.
New Mexico Junior College will next face Midland College at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chaparral Center in Midland.
Odessa College’s next game will be at Frank Phillips College at 2 p.m. Saturday in Borger.
The Lady Wranglers won in straight sets in their last meeting with Frank Phillips College back on Oct. 2.
