Under the weather Cowgirls fall to Lobos

By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org

The Wyoming Cowgirls had to battle a consistent team on the other side of the net, let along their health, Saturday night in a four-game loss to New Mexico.

The Lobos controlled three of the four games in the 25-15, 25-25, 20-25 and 25-17 victory at the UniWyo Sports Complex. New Mexico is now 1-2 in Mountain West Conference play and 9-7 overall, while the Cowgirls fell to 0-3 and 8-8.

In a tough week that saw the Cowgirls play three league matches, it didn’t get any easier on Saturday, when three players were diagnosed with the flu. All three played in the match, but their effectiveness was limited at times.

New Mexico took advantage and hit .312 on the night, while Wyoming could muster just an .080 hitting efficiency.

Despite the loss, Wyoming head coach Carrie Yerty said she was proud of how her team tried to fight through their health troubles.

“Not that that is an excuse, but they battled,” Yerty said. “Our setter (Barbara Lasic) was really struggling with the flu; Jodi Purdy was struggling and one of our middles struggled. For them to battle and to come in and play hard, I can only ask them to give their best. As coaching staff, we have to keep getting better every day.”

The Lobos controlled the first two games, as Wyoming had 18 hitting errors to just six for New Mexico.

“I think we were so focused on the fact that we didn’t feel well, that we really didn’t focus on what we could do,” Yerty said. “We had to fight through adversity and we still have to function. It was unfortunate, but we have to get better.”

The Cowgirls battled back in the third game, and pulled away from a tight battle midway for their lone win of the night. In that game, Wyoming hit .314 with just four errors.

But the Cowgirls couldn’t maintain the momentum and the Lobos tolled late for the victory.

“We’re talking about consistency and composure every day. Coaches lose games and players win them. We have to, as a coaching staff, get this team ready and get better every day,” Yerty said.

Despite being under the weather, Purdy, just a freshman, led the Cowgirls with 13 kills and five digs. Junior Lauren Whitney added 11 kills. Senior Jessica Kagarise had 14 digs for the Cowgirls, with freshman Jadranka Tramosiljanin adding 12 digs.

Taylor Hadfield paced the Lobos with 14 kills, followed by Ashley Rhodes with 12 and Lisa Meeter with 11.

The Cowgirls will stay home again next week, facing Adams State Tuesday night in a non-league match and rival Colorado State Friday. Both matches are set for 7 p.m.