On Thursday morning, No. 3 New Mexico Military opened play at the Region V Volleyball Championships with a 3-0 win over North Central Texas College. With the win the Broncos increase their win streak to 23 consecutive matches and book a spot in the 9 a.m. match tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Set 1

Early in the first set, both teams struggled to find rhythm as neither team was able to separate themselves. As the teams continued to trade points, each side was aided by numerous errors early on.

The Broncos took a 21-17 lead - their largest of the set behind a powerful kill by Allison Miller which the defense was unable to handle. North Central Texas was able to fight back and trail just 24-22.  With the margin close, NMMI secured the first set 25-22 with the help of a service error by the Lions.

Set 2

Carrying some momentum over from the first set the home team opened the middle set on a 9-4 run, forcing a Line timeout. As the set continued, the Broncos began to take control as they maintained at least a four point lead throughout the set. Sarah Shubert was able to give the Broncos a 14-9 advantage with a kill that bounced off the defender and into the stands.

Down 10-17, North Central Texas was able to put a run together and knot the set at 17 a piece. However, NMMI would shut down any comeback opportunity as they ended the set on a 8-3 run to secure the middle set 25-20.

Set 3

The final set began with a 6-1 run for the Broncos as they looked to close out the match and force a quick timeout by the Lions coaching staff. NMMI took their largest lead of the set as Shubert sent a kill that rattled the ground to give the Broncos a comfortable 18-9 lead.

A few points later, Selin Guler gave the Broncos a 12-point lead as she tallied one of her nine kills to open the postseason. The Broncos would secure the first-round victory 25-13 as Michelle Mlikan notched her seventh and final kill of the match.

With round two starting tomorrow, Head Coach Shelby Forchtner believes the team has another gear to find. "Our defenders just didn't play at the level we're used to playing and we weren't very disciplined blocking … but I think our offense did a pretty good job for the most part," Forchtner said. "That was a bit out of sync for us so we just need to get back into a solid rhythm."

The Broncos return to the court on Friday, Nov. 8 as they take on the winner of the New Mexico Junior College and Vernon College at 9 a.m. in the Cahoon Armory Gym to start day two of the Region V Volleyball Championships.