Injury-ridden Badgers swept by No. 7 NMMI

The Amarillo College volleyball team began the second round of their conference schedule with a three-set defeat to seventh-ranked New Mexico Military Institute on Oct. 7 at the FirstBank Southwest Center.

The Broncos won the match (25-17, 25-15, 25-15) against an injury-ridden Badgers squad, who was down four starters.

For the second time in as many meetings, Guadalajara, Mexico product Leah Linarers led NMMI's potent offensive attack via a game-best 12 kills. The 6-foot-1 freshman ended the match with a .310 hitting percentage.

Linares' performance was reminiscent of the first meeting between AC and NMMI as the outside hitter tallied a game-best 15 kills via a .538 hitting percentage in their matchup in Roswell, New Mexico on Sept. 13.

Victoria Oliveira, a 6-foot-2 freshman from Brazil, added eight kills and a team-best three block assists.

AC sophomore Madison Kellogg had team-best totals in four stat columns on Saturday. The Amarillo native tallied seven kills, two aces, 11 digs, and a .200 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Jaron McAden recorded a school-record five blocks and added five kills.

Freshman libero Rachel Russell tied Kellogg in the dig department with 11.

Amarillo College's conference record fell to 2-6 with the loss and 7-14 overall. The Badgers are currently in sixth place in the eight-team Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

The following is the WJCAC standings as of Oct. 9.

New Mexico Military Institute (20-4, 8-0)

Odessa College (21-3, 6-2)

New Mexico Junior College (21-3, 6-2)

Western Texas College (14-11, 4-4)

Midland College (8-12, 4-4)

Amarillo College (7-14, 2-6)

Frank Phillips College (5-15, 2-6)

Clarendon College (3-12, 0-7)