Posted: Aug 26, 2024

Lady Monsters Shine at NMMI Classic

The Eastern Arizona College (EAC) Lady Monsters kicked off their season at the New Mexico Military Institute Classic, facing tough competition in a five-match tournament. Despite some early jitters, the team showcased resilience and determination, ending the weekend with a commendable 4-1 record.

Thursday, August 22: Day One

The Lady Monsters opened the tournament against Indian Hills, ranked #9 in the NJCAA. The team struggled with nerves, leading to a 0-3 loss. "Our team came in super nervous, showing up for battle but letting too many freshman mistakes slip through," said Coach Kay. Despite the loss, standout performances came from Melanie Merrill with 6 kills and 6 digs, and Rylee Pitney and Brianna O'Donnal, each contributing 5 blocks.

Friday, August 23: Bouncing Back

The Lady Monsters roared back on Friday with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Weatherford College, ranked #7. "We came alive today," Coach Kay remarked. "Our sophomore presence was huge in today's success." The offense shone brightly with a hitting percentage of .292%. Melanie Merrill led the charge with 17 kills, while Brianna O'Donnal added 13. On defense, four players reached double digits in digs—Merrill and Ivi Pinto Marcolino and Kambria Maloy with 10 each, and Asya Akabulut with 11. The team also dominated the serving game, finishing with 11 aces that kept Weatherford's offense at bay.

Saturday, August 24: Continued Dominance

EAC's momentum continued against Tyler Junior College, where they claimed victory with set scores of 19-25, 25-25, 25-22, and 25-6. Offensively, the Lady Monsters outmuscled their opponents, with Merrill leading the way with 18 kills, followed by O'Donnal with 10. The team also racked up an impressive 15 aces, leaving Tyler struggling to respond.

The Lady Monsters then faced Amarillo College, securing another win. O'Donnal led with 13 kills, closely followed by Merrill with 11. Loimata Siaka also made her mark with 3.5 blocks, and the team's serving remained strong with 8 aces.

Sunday, August 25: A Hard-Fought Finale

In the final match against Odessa College, ranked #8, the Lady Monsters handed Odessa their only loss of the tournament. Defense was key, with a balanced effort across the board. Melanie Merrill and Brianna O'Donnal each recorded 10 digs, Kambria Maloy had 9, and Kadence Moore led with 11. Offensively, Elisa Saunders topped the charts with 13 kills, followed by O'Donnal with 11. "The team fought hard and were very scrappy in this one," said Coach Kay. "Several players stepped up off the bench, showing great overall team effort."

Weekend Recap

The Lady Monsters finished the weekend with an impressive 4-1 record. Up next, they travel to Dodge City, Kansas, for their next set of matches. Go Monsters!