Cowgirls Travel to Face New Mexico, Air Force

* University of Wyoming press release

LARAMIE -- The Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball team heads back on the road this week after finishing up a four-match homestand the last two weeks. The Cowgirls will travel to face New Mexico Thursday night at 6:30 and will close the week Saturday at 11 a.m., against Air Force.

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Wyoming (13-4, 2-4 MW) is coming off its first two Mountain West victories of 2023 last week. The Cowgirls won a four-set thriller over rival Colorado State before sweeping San Jose State. Monday, Sierra Grizzle was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Week for her performance in the Cowgirls’ two victories. While making her first career starts at libero, Grizzle averaged 3.86 digs per set and tallied 10 assists for the week.

Grizzle began the week recording a career-best 17 digs against CSU while also setting a career-high with seven assists in the win. In the sweep over SJSU, Grizzle added 10 digs.

Offensively, Tierney Barlow averaged 3.14 kills and 3.86 points per set in the two wins, while hitting .421 for the week. Barlow continues to rank high in the league in multiple statistical categories as she ranks second in the MW with a .379 hitting percentage. Barlow’s 3.05 kills and 4.06 points per set rank 10th and sixth, respectively in the conference.

She also ranks fourth in the conference, averaging 1.14 blocks per set.

Kasia Partyka continues to lead the league in assists per set this season with 10.70, which is No. 14 nationally. Rylee Schulz, meanwhile, ranks sixth in the league in kills (3.26) per set and eighth in points (3.74) per.

Sarah Holcomb’s .332 hitting percentage is seventh-best in the Mountain West, as are her 1.10 blocks a set.

New Mexico boasts arguably the best defense in the Mountain West this season, leading the league in opponent hitting percentage (.146), blocks per set (2.55) and digs per (17.05).

The Lobos are led by all-conference honoree Uxue Guereca's 3.73 kills and 4.31 points per set. Those marks ranks fourth and third, respectively in the league. Elizabeth Woods ranks second in the league with a team-leading 1.34 blocks a set. Melissa Walden ranks fourth in the conference averaging 8.57 assists per set while Angela Crosetti ranks second in the MW with 4.54 digs a set.

The Cowgirls have won seven of the last eight on the road in the series.

Air Force is led by All-Mountain West selection, Joi Harvey, who is averaging 2.46 kills per set while hitting .393. Harvey is one of five Falcons with 100-plus kills in 2023. Mac Russ leads the team with 80 total blocks this season, which ranks fifth-best in the conference.

In the back row, Jordan Suan is averaging 3.81 digs per set, which is good enough for sixth in the league. Wyoming came from behind last season at the Academy to win in five sets.