The Eastern Arizona College Gila Monster Volleyball team closed out August with a 4-4 record after competing in back-to-back tournaments across New Mexico and Kansas, showing early flashes of potential while working through a tough non-conference slate.
The Gila Monsters opened the season at the NMMI Classic in Roswell, New Mexico, where they split four matches. They picked up wins over Jefferson College and Barton Community College, while dropping competitive matchups against Odessa College and Northeastern Junior College.
Sophomore outside hitter Addison Hinckley, of Wylie, Texas, led Eastern Arizona’s offense throughout the stretch, recording double-digit kills in four matches, including 19 in a five-set win over Lee College.
Freshman outside hitter Cale Torgerson, of Salina, Utah, made an immediate impact on both ends of the court. She tallied 11 kills and 13 digs in a three-set loss to Miami Dade College, and added 17 digs in a four-set victory over Barton.
Sophomore middle blocker Rylee Pitney, from Palmer, Alaska, was a consistent presence at the net with multiple matches of five or more blocks. She also contributed at the service line, including four aces against Barton.
Libero Kambria Maloy, a sophomore from Florence, Arizona, anchored the Gila Monsters’ defense with double-digit digs in several matches, peaking with a 23-dig performance against Lee College and 19 more against Northeastern.
Sophomore Hannah Pushckor (Florence, Ariz.) added front-row firepower, notching 8 kills in the season opener and hitting .462 against Miami Dade. Fellow sophomores Elisa Saunders (Goodyear, Ariz.) and Marli Lopeman (Thatcher, Ariz.) chipped in with timely kills, blocks and service aces.
Setter Nayomi Toilolo, a sophomore from Laie, Hawaii, directed the offense, totaling 24 assists and 7 digs against Miami Dade, and added a service ace against Dodge City.
Freshman outside hitter Trey Torgerson (Salina, Utah) contributed across multiple matches, collecting kills, digs and a pair of service aces in the win over Lee College.
Eastern Arizona opens September with three matches at the Odessa College Tournament, beginning with an 8 a.m. game Friday against Navarro College, followed by New Mexico Junior College at 1 p.m. The Gila Monsters return to action Saturday against Frank Phillips College.
Their home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. against Phoenix College at Guitteau Gymnasium.
