On Saturday afternoon, No.3 New Mexico secured a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament with a 3-2 comeback win over the No. 5 ranked Weatherford College Coyotes. With the win, the Broncos improve to 31-2 overall - the most wins since the 2021 season. NMMI ended the home slate with a perfect 13-0 record with a 25-match win streak.

Set 1

In the first set, the fans were able to get a glimpse of how the next four sets would play out. A back-and-forth battle unraveled early on as the championship feeling was in the air. Neither side was able to take command as both teams exchanged points.

NMMI was able to create some separation with a 17-14 lead as Carola Schnidrig tallied one of her six kills in the afternoon as Weatherford defenders were unable to slow the ball down as it bounced off into the stands. Fighting back, the Coyotes were able to knot the set at 23. Weatherford would take a 24-23 lead but the Broncos would go on to score the next two points to take the first set 26-24.

Set 2

Much like the first set, there was close to no separation on the scoreboard as both sides traded points. The Broncos trailed throughout most of the set but were able to tie the set at 22 before Allison Miller notched one of her kills to give the home team a 23-22 advantage.

However, Weatherford would end the set on a 5-3 run as they were able to take the second set 28-26.

Set 3

Using the momentum from the end of the second set, Weatherford was able to use that in the third set as they jumped out to a 8-1 lead - forcing a NMMI timeout. Following the timeout, the Broncos cut the deficit as they made it an 11-13 match.

Up by two, the Coyotes were able to fight off the comeback opportunity in the middle set as they took a 23-19 lead. The Broncos tried to stay in the set, but Weatherford was able to take a 2-1 lead as they secured the middle set narrowly 25-23.

Set 4

Down by two sets, the Broncos were in an unfamiliar place as they last dropped two sets back in September. This didn't faze the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Champions as they started the comeback.

The Broncos took a 13-10 lead as Daicy Benites Franco tallied one of her eight kills in the afternoon. Up by three, NMMI used the lead to stay ahead before the Coyotes made a comeback to take a 17-16 lead. Trying to push for a fifth set, Michelle Mlikan blasted a ball over the net to tie the set at 19. NMMI would close out the set on a 6-2 run as they would take the fourth set 25-21. 

Set 5

In the final set, the No.3 Broncos showed why they earned their ranking as they took a commanding 8-2 lead to open the set. Mlikan continued her excellent performance as she tallied her 24th kill of the afternoon to give NMMI a 14-7 advantage. A point later, the Broncos were crowned Region V Champions as they secured the final set 15-7.

After missing the opportunity to compete in last year's national tournament, Head Coach Shelby Forchtner points to the success of her team, "This team for the starting moment has been all about playing for each other and with each other. No matter who's in the game, who's on the bench they've worked really hard to support each other," Forchtner said. "There's very little selfishness on this team … these kids brought into the process from day one they have been invested in this process and this team. Working 24/7 for each other."

With the Broncos qualifying for the 2024 NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship at the Dunn Center in Clarksville, TN the official bracket will be announced on Wednesday, November 12 where NMMI will find out its' opponent. The 2024 NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship will take place from November 20-23.