Volleyball beats Cisco in straight sets to close Chapman Automotive Invitational

YUMA, Ariz. – The No. 20 ranked Arizona Western Matadors Volleyball team (3-0) finished play in the Chapman Automotive Volleyball Invitational with a 3-0 win over Cisco College on Saturday afternoon at The House Gymnasium.

Nehir Erimez led the Matadors' offense with 21 assists while both Natalia Valencia-Gamboa and Gabriela Martensson had 10 kills in the win.

Arizona Western jumped out to a 5-1 lead after a Ma'o Lauhingoa ace and eventually extended the lead to 19-11 on a Martensson kill. The Matadors closed out the first set 25-13.

For the second consecutive set, the Matadors built an early lead, scoring three of the first four points. After Cisco cut the deficit, the Matadors used a 7-0 run to push the lead to 15-6. Larrynn Joseph-Rodrigues gave the Matadors a 10-point lead at 22-12 with a kill as the Matadors pulled away for the 25-15 win.

After going back-and-forth early in the third, the Matadors constructed a 10-6 lead on a Valencia-Gamboa kill. Cisco used a 5-0 run to cut the Matadors' lead to 21-20 before Arizona Western finished off the set 25-21.

Lauhingoa led the Matadors in digs with eight while Esther Asiedu led the team in aces with three.

The Matadors head to Salt Lake City, Utah to open play in the Crystal Invitational, taking on Utah State Eastern on Friday, August 30 at 10:00 am.