Roughriders edge Matadors in five sets

The momentum that the Arizona Western Lady Matadors volleyball team (8-9 overall, 5-3 ACCAC) had been building in their four straight wins, waned over the final three sets as they fell to the Yavapai RoughRiders (8-5 overall, 7-1 ACCAC) in five sets at Yavapai College Wednesday night.

Momentum propelled the Matadors out in front, as they jumped out to a two-sets to none lead, before Yavapai would turn the tables.

A back and forth opening set saw the Matadors quickly dig out of an 8-5 hole behind Daniela Jimenez Paz to take a 9-8 lead, forcing a Yavapai timeout.

The RoughRiders found themselves in front 15-12 after a series of Matador errors with Mailani Manuel on the service line.

The Lady Mats worked their way back to a 20-18 lead behind a balanced attack that included support from the block of Constanza Silva and Anny Montano.

But the RoughRiders quickly tied it before a back and forth stretch of points gave the Matadors a couple of chances at set point, finally taking the lead when Manuel’s shot sailed long, 25-23.

Yavapai took the early lead in set two but Jimenez Paz and Silva quickly worked the Matadors into the lead, forcing a Yavapai timeout at 7-6 AWC.

The Matadors created more pressure over the next eight points, building a 12-9 lead before another Yavapai timeout.

The Matadors continued to roll to a 21-15 lead, before grabbing set point at 24-16. Jerica Vele’s serve couldn’t be returned and the Matadors took a two set lead.

But that’s where momentum began to swing back to

sEE ROUNDUP/B4