The preseason No. 20 Utah State Eastern women's volleyball team split their results during the NMMI Classic in Roswell, New Mexico, according to an August 23 report. The Eagles, featuring a young roster with only two sophomores among 15 players, secured victories over two ranked opponents during the tournament.
The Eagles began the tournament with losses against the top-ranked Miami Dade College and No. 16 New Mexico Military Institute. Miami Dade swept the Eagles 25-11, 25-19, and 25-14. In the match against New Mexico Military Institute, the Eagles fell in straight sets: 25-20, 25-16, and 25-11.
On Saturday, the Eagles earned their first sweep and victory of the season against No. 10 Eastern Arizona College, winning 25-13, 25-23, and 25-23. Utah State Eastern concluded the weekend with a 3-1 victory over No. 11 Casper College, winning the first two sets 25-19 and 25-21 before dropping the third 25-16 and taking the fourth 26-24.
Individual performances included Kinsey Parsons, who recorded 10 kills, three aces, and three blocks in the win over Eastern Arizona. Madelin Newbold finished with a team-high 15 kills in the victory against Casper College. Selah Nickel recorded six blocks in the match against Miami Dade, while Presley Decker led the team with five kills in that contest.
The Eagles were scheduled to play in another four-game tournament featuring two NJCAA ranked opponents on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29, in Taylorsville, Utah.
