Coach Bobby Blanken and his Lady Mustangs continued their successful start to the 2012 campaign Saturday evening as they edged UC Merced in four sets (25-15, 23-25, 25-13, 25-16) on the final day of the ASICS/Wyndham Hotel Labor Day Classic at Concordia University in Irvine. Winning three of their four matches at the event, the Mustangs are now 9-1 on the season.

TMC controlled the first set and never let the Bobcats entertain the thought of a lead. TMC’s Sam Dougherty (Madera, CA) came up big in the first set as the junior outside hitter paced the Mustangs with fifteen kills and six digs in a 25-15 first-set win.

The Mustangs and the Bobcats traded scoring spurts in the second set which kept the match close at 12-12. Set two proved to be a game of lead changes and ties as the UC Merced Bobcats showed signs of life with a resilient effort. With the game tied at 23-all, the Bobcats did not allow TMC to take the lead back as Kathryn Blake tallied the final point, alloing UC Merced to take the set 25-23 with one of her game-high 12 kills.

TMC came out firing in game three. The Mustangs were in control the entire time, eventually working their lead to a commanding 23-13. Dougherty continued her excellent play and claimed five kills that spurred the Mustangs in the third set. TMC went on to win the set in dominating fashion 25-13.

The fourth and final set shared similar results as TMC secured the match 25-16. Set four featured one 6-0 run and two 3-0 runs. TMC’s Ashley Newton (Henderson, NV) notched four kills which helped secure the Mustangs third set and ninth match victory of the season.

Following a very demanding, yet successful, weekend in Irvine, the Mustangs now take the next week to prepare for another tournament next weekend, the William Jessup Invitational in Rocklin. Coach Bobby Blanken and his Mustangs are scheduled to open play in the eight-team event against Simpson on Friday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m.