by J.R. Oppenheim
assistantsports@dailylobo.com
Freshman Alijah Gunsaulus had a career-high 20 kills, including the match winner, to help the UNM volleyball team beat Boise State 3-2 on Thursday night at The Pit.
The win snaps a two-match MWC losing streak for the Lobos (16-4, 3-2).
Gunsaulus also had 14 digs and was one of three Lobos with double-doubles. Red shirt sophomore Chantale Riddle led the way with 23 kills and 16 digs, while junior Lena Skipper added 16 kills and 10 digs.
Junior Lexi Ross paced UNM in blocking with six.
Boise State (8-10, 1-3) had four players reach double figures in kills, led by Alyssa Gammel with 24. She also had 13 digs. Liz Harden had 15 kills, followed by Leah Stevens with 12 and Brittany Reardon with 10.
In the deciding fifth set, UNM and Boise State fought their way to a 15-all tie, exchanging sideouts after every point or two. Neither team led by more than four points at any time in the fifth.
UNM found its way to match point at 16-15 when Boise State’s Katelyn Kinghorn hit the ball into the net on an attack. Gunsaulus won the match on the next point, getting the kill on the right side off a Boise State block attempt.
After exchanging wins in the first two sets, Boise State took control midway through Set 3. The Broncos held an 18-12 lead before the Lobos stormed back to tie the set at 24.
Both teams exchanged sideouts to force the set to a tie at 26. The Lobos capped the set with block by Skipper and Ross, followed by a junior Miquella Lovato block.
Boise State gained another early advantage in Set 4. The Broncos led by as many as nine in the fourth. UNM again came roaring back, knotting the match at 21 apiece.
For the second time in the match, Boise State and UNM battled past 25 points, this time to a 29-all tie. Back-to-back kills by Gammel gave the Broncos the set and forced the decider.
