Austin, TX -- Western New Mexico University's volleyball team moved one step closer to the school's first conference championship in the sport as the Mustangs dismissed St. Mary's 30-15, 31-29, 30-28 in the semi-finals of the Heartland Conference Championship in Austin Friday.

Junior Stephanie Higgins (Biggsville, IL/) dominated the game with a 28-kill performance. The Mustangs (25-4, 11-1 HC) face Montana State Billings (20-7) in the finals Saturday night (6:00pm MST). Billings got revenge on Incarnate Word with a three-game sweep of the Cardinals to move into the finals.

WNMU defeated the Yellowjackets in four games earlier this season in Billings.