Official Athletics Site of Truckee Meadows Community College

Truckee meadows Community College earned the first conference win in program history with a 3 to 0 sweep of Colorado Northwestern Community College, winning 26 to 24, 25 to 12 and 25 to 15. The victory marked a major milestone for the Mighty Lizards in their inaugural season of intercollegiate volleyball

The weekend did not start the way TMCC had hoped. Friday's match went back and forth, with the Mighty Lizards taking the opening set before eventually falling 3 to 2. TMCC fought to extend the match with a 25 to 16 win in the fourth set, but Colorado Northwestern pulled away in the deciding set to take the victory.

Saturday's rematch brought a different ending.

The opening set once again tested both teams, with TMCC holding on for a 26 to 24 win. That close finish set the tone for the rest of the match. The Mighty Lizards found their rhythm in the second set, pulling away for a 25 to 12 victory before closing out the sweep with a 25 to 15 win in the third.

The biggest difference came in TMCC's response on defense. On Friday, Colorado Northwestern's Kinzlee Brindley, No. 4, put up 28 kills and four service aces, making her a major challenge for the Mighty Lizards throughout the five set match. By Saturday, TMCC had made its adjustment. The Mighty Lizards limited Colorado Northwestern to a .055 hitting percentage and made it much harder for the Spartans to find the same offensive rhythm. After a close loss the night before, TMCC turned that defensive pressure into a decisive three set victory.
 
TMCC finished Saturday with a .255 hitting percentage, 37 kills, nine service aces, five blocks and 60 digs. Adrielle Caguiat led the team with 12 kills, hit .455 and added four blocks. Allison Lawrence contributed 11 kills and a team high 19 digs, while Alysa O'Brien added nine kills. Meleny Medina recorded 32 assists to help guide the offense.
 
The turnaround from Friday to Saturday made the win even more meaningful. After pushing Colorado Northwestern to five sets and falling just short, TMCC returned the next day with a stronger offensive showing and a defensive performance that helped control the match from start to finish.
 
For a program in its first season of intercollegiate competition, Saturday's result was more than another mark in the win column. It was the first conference victory in TMCC volleyball history, a milestone the Mighty Lizards can build on as the season continues.
 
TMCC will return home to prepare for its next series against Utah State University Eastern on October 23 and 24.