PUEBLO, Colo. – When it comes to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament title match, more times than not, it has been Western New Mexico University and Colorado Mesa University. The Lady Mustangs took the 5-3 victory to lock up their fourth RMAC Tournament title in their final year in the conference on Saturday.

Including this year, the two teams have met in each of the past four title bouts with WNMU holding a 3-1 advantage. If the earlier meeting this season was any indication, it was setting up to be another close match that either team could win.

WNMU (9-15) fell behind 2-1 after doubles. CMU (16-13) started strong with an 8-1 win against senior Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado)/junior Gemma Goodland (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia/Maribyrnong College Sports Academy) at the top flight. The Lady Mustangs drew even posting an 8-3 win at No. 2 behind senior Diamond Morrill (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad)/junior Annely Heinze (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Techologico de Monterrey). The closest of the three came at No. 3 with senior Claudia Osuna (Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico/Tec Milenio )/redshirt sophomore Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) coming up just short, 6-8.

The Lady Mustangs dominated play at the top two singles matches with Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) rolling to a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 1 and Osuna with the 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 2. Morrill battled hard, but fell 0-6, 3-6 at No. 6 which meant the score was 3-3. Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) and Heinze each finished before Goodland to seal the win for WNMU. Each won their matches in different ways. Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) fell behind 3-6 in her match at No. 3 and then rallied for the 6-0, 6-4 victory. Heinze opened strong with the 6-2 first set win, then after a 4-6 setback in the second, recovered for the 6-3 win in the third set.

Without the automatic bid into the NCAA regionals an option this year like in year's past with not enough teams now in the conference, this match ends the season for the Lady Mustangs. It was also the final match for three seniors in Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado), Claudia Osuna (Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico/Tec Milenio ) and Diamond Morrill (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad).