Matador volleyball falls to Eastern Arizona; Soccer to face Paradise

The Arizona Western volleyball team forced a fifth game but didn't have enough to win in Thatcher.

The No. 9 Matadors lost 21-25, 25-19, 25-23, 17-25, 15-9 to Eastern Arizona on Wednesday night.

Paula Rosa had a team-high 19 kills and 27 digs and Amanda Watkins had 16 kills and 10 blocks for the Matadors, who played their first conference game in 19 days.

Arizona Western (12-4 overall, 5-2 in Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) also got 37 assists from Kylee Chun.

Earlier in the season, the Matadors beat Eastern Arizona (11-9 overall, 7-3 in ACCAC) in Thatcher, 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21. Last season, the Gila Monsters swept Arizona Western in the Region I Division I Finals.

Before the game, the Matadors climbed three spots in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll to No. 9. Arizona Western remains the only ACCAC Division I team in the national poll. Glendale is ranked No. 2 in the Division II poll.

The Matadors play at Glendale at 7 p.m. Thursday.

JUCO SOCCER

Matadors face Paradise, drop to No. 12

The Arizona Western soccer team will host Paradise Valley at 7 p.m. today at the AWC Soccer Field.

The Matadors, who beat the Pumas 1-0 earlier this year, have won nine straight over Paradise Valley. With an 11-3 conference record, the Matadors are currently in second place in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, while Paradise Valley (6-6-1) is in seventh.

Despite coming off a 4-0 win over GateWay on Tuesday, Arizona Western dropped one spot to No. 12 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association poll.