TMU Insider: Mustangs make noise in crucial NAIA matchups
Kayla Sims and The Master's University women's volleyball team won three Golden State Athletic Conference awards for last week's play.
Last week, The Master's University volleyball and soccer programs posted impressive results over a number of quality NAIA opponents.
The Master's University beat Menlo College in four sets (25-23, 12-25, 25-23, 25-17) last Friday night on TMU's Bross Court.
Kayla Sims posted 42 assists, Emily Clark anchored the Mustangs' defense with 19 digs, while Aubrey Pyburn led TMU's assault with 16 kills. TMU's Maryah Richberg posted 12 kills, while Sims chipped in 10 digs.
The next day, TMU beat William Jessup University in three sets (25-16, 25-16, 26-24) at home.
Richberg had an outstanding afternoon by leading TMU's offensive attack with 15 kills. She also posted three blocks. Elsewhere, Pyburn claimed 11 kills, while Sims tallied 39 assists and led TMU with 10 digs.
Based on last week's results, for the first time in program history, The Master's University has claimed all three weekly GSAC volleyball honors as Sims was named the conference's Setter of the Week, Maryah Richberg was named the Attacker of the Week, and Emily Clark was named the Defender of the Week.
Now, TMU looks to improve its 16-9 record (8-2 in the Golden State Athletic Conference) as the Mustangs take on Arizona Christian on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Phoenix. On Saturday, the Mustangs will play San Diego Christian in El Cajon at 7:30 p.m.
The Master's University battled to a 2-2 double-overtime draw last Wednesday against 17th-ranked Hope International University of Fullerton on Reese Field.
TMU's Lloyd Virgil tied the match after connecting with an assist from Zach Klindworth at the 62:20 mark. Two minutes later, Humphrey Mahowa put the Mustangs up 2-1 after scoring off another Klindworth assist.
HIU's Edson Torres capitalized on a Salvador Magallon corner kick, and tied the match at 2-2 with 19 minutes left in regulation.
Outstanding play from Mustang goalkeeper Kyle Cunningham silenced HIU's relentless assault and secured the double-overtime draw. Cunningham finished the match with 11 total saves, while Klindworth led TMU's attack by posting six shots and two assists.
On Saturday, TMU scored early and often in its 5-1 victory over Arizona Christian University in Phoenix, Arizona.
Klindworth put TMU on the scoreboard first at the 5:19 mark by scoring an unassisted goal. Twelve minutes later (17:06), Mustang midfielder Benjamin Tembo also scored an unassisted goal, giving TMU a 2-0 advantage.
At the 21:38 mark, Mahowa scored off a Klindworth assist, extending TMU's lead to 3-0. Just two minutes later (23:07), Mahowa posted his second goal of the day, this time in unassisted fashion.
Finally, with nearly 14 minutes left in the half (76:37), Mustang defender Christopher Logan answered ACU's goal by scoring TMU's fourth unassisted goal.
With the win, TMU's 2016 record improved to 8-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
This week, TMU hosts a pair of matches, against William Jessup on Thursday at 1 p.m. and Menlo College on Saturday at 1:30 p.m
Last Wednesday, Stephanie Albright and Whitney Gomillion scored goals 17 minutes apart in the second half, and the Mustangs held on for a 2-1 victory over Hope International on TMU's Reese Field.
On Saturday, TMU posted its third shutout victory of the season, beating Arizona Christian 2-0 Saturday afternoon in Phoenix.
TMU's first goal of the day was scored by Kaylee Poffek after she connected with an assist from Sierra Carrasco with four seconds left in the first half (44:56).
Shortly after intermission, at the 53:01 mark, Lynnae George scored off a Haley Gomillion assist, giving TMU a 2-0 advantage.
TMU's defense held strong for the rest of the second half, securing the Mustangs' seventh win of the season.
With the wins, the Mustangs' 2016 record improved to 7-4-3 and 3-2-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
This week, TMU hosts a pair of matches, against William Jessup on Thursday at 3 p.m. and Menlo College on Saturday at 11 a.m.
This Friday, The Master's University's men's and women's cross country programs will compete at the Titan Invitational in Fullerton at the Titan Track Complex on the campus of Cal State University Fullerton.
The fifth-ranked Mustang women will compete at 5 p.m., while TMU's men's team, who ranks 11th in the NAIA, will race at 5:30 p.m.
Next Monday, The Master's University men's golf team, which is currently ranked 19th in the NAIA, will compete at the CSU San Marcos Fall Classic. The two-day tournament will take place on the links of the Vista Valley Country Club in Vista.
For more information about The Master's University Athletics, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @TMUAthletics.
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