Edmond, Okla. – The Mustangs of Western New Mexico University Volleyball matched up on their second day at the University of Central Oklahoma Tournament hosted in Hamilton Field House, in Edmond, Oklahoma. WNMU came up short in the two matches today against Western Colorado University Mountaineers and the University of Central Oklahoma Broncos.
"Rough start today but we are going into the next match with a clean slate," said Head Coach Holly Watts.
The Mustangs played in three battling matches this afternoon leaving the team to be swept 3-0 by the Mountaineers. Senior-Veteran Maggie Roe was a huge asset in the match ending with 8 kills and 1 assist. Freshman Kayla Villarreal (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) tied Roe for kills with 8 kills and 3 blocks.
Senior Bria Augustine (Bellflower, CA/Mayfair High School), lead the team in digs having 11 for the match with a total of seven kills. Senior setter, Madelynn Culp (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) was the Mustang assist leader having 15 assists.
Set one was a battle to the finish as the Mountaineers won the match at a close 30-28. In sets two and three, WNMU started off to a slow start, finding themselves in a hole early on. While the Mustangs were able to make a comeback and have some 4-0 point runs, they were still short and were seated 25-20 and 25-18.
In match two, the Mustangs took on the Broncos starting off to a strong start giving the complete opposite effect from game one.
"The team came out playing well and surprised UCO," concluded Watts.
Maggie Roe (Boulder City, NV/Boulder City High School) was vital to the Mustang offense ending the game two leading with 11 kills. Senior, Bria Augustine (Bellflower, CA/Mayfair High School), and freshman, Vianey Lopez Marrufo (El Paso, TX/Del Valle HS) followed right behind with a total of 10 kills against UCO. She also had two monster blocks to tie in total blocks with Senior Megan Custer (El Paso, TX/Eastwood High School) and freshman Kayla Judd (St. David, AZ/St. David HS)
Freshman setter, Hailey Hertzog (Phoenix, AZ/Chaparral High School) (Phoenix, AZ/ Chaparral HS) lead the team in assists ending the match with a total of 22.
After the strong start to set one, Mustangs were able to battle to win the set 27-25. The next three sets did not bode well for the Mustangs as the team did not come out with the same energy as in the first set. WNMU lost 13-25 to the Broncos in set two and 9-25 in set three. The number of errors for the Mustangs in set three was the biggest drawback as the team had a total of 7. In set four, even though the Mustangs put up a fight, the Broncos came out with the win 25-16.
"We came out playing well and surprised UCO. We didn't sustain our momentum versus a strong UCO team who was receiving votes on the latest national coaches poll," concludes Coach Watts.
The Mustangs will play their final match in the Central Oklahoma Tournament, playing one match tomorrow (9/11). WNMU will play East Central University at 12:30 PM MDT.
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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter & Instagram).
