Odessa, TX – The Mustangs of Western New Mexico University Volleyball competed against the University of Texas-Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. WNMU fought until the end but just fell short in a 3-0 loss to the UT Permian Basin Falcons.

"We got into a rhythm and were better as the day went on but left ourselves too much of a hole to climb out of," said Head Coach Holly Watts. 

Senior, Maggie Roe (Boulder City, NV/Boulder City High School) led the team in kills with a total of 10 and ending the match with one block. Bria Augustine (Bellflower, CA/Mayfair High School) led the team in digs with 17 and had 8 kills. Freshman Vianey Marrufo Lopez also had a great afternoon earning 6 kills and 10 digs. 

Setter Hailey Hertzog (Phoenix, AZ/Chaparral High School) led the team in assists with 19 and served up tow aces. Madelynn Culp (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) was second in assists with 10. Freshman, Janey Cortez (El Paso, TX/East Lake HS), had a great defensive night ending with 14 digs.

The Mustangs and Falcons had a very similar offensive afternoon, both ending with 30 assists. UTPB had only three more kills than WNMU at the end of the match. The Mustangs' errors were their largest opponent as the team totaled 23. 

The Mustangs struggled in the first match ending in a seven-point loss of 18-25. Set two, the Mustangs were off and ready to put a fight but were unable to finish, ending in 20-25. Going into the third set, WNMU started the match with lots of energy and had a great lead. Battling for the last point, the Falcons took match three 26-24 from the Mustangs. 

"Setters were finding the hot hitters. We will keep working to get better every time we take the court," concluded Watts. 

The Mustangs take a road trip playing their next match against Eastern New Mexico University on September 24th, at 6:00 PM MT, followed by another LSC match against West Texas on September 25th, at 1:00 PM MT, and on September 27th, facing New Mexico Highlands at 7:00 PM MT.