Las Vegas, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University Volleyball team played a five set thriller in the John A. Wilson Complex against New Mexico Highlands. The Cowgirls would lasso up the Mustangs winning the match 3-2.

"Our team found a way to compete when the atmosphere wasn't going our way," said Head Coach Holly Watts. "Our earned points were hard fought and we battled to put ourselves in a winnable fifth set."

Bria Augustine (Bellflower, CA/Mayfair High School) led the team in kills, smashing 16 on the Highland defense. Janey Cortez (El Paso, TX/East Lake HS) and Maggie Roe (Boulder City, NV/Boulder City High School) both had 8 kills as well.

Madelynn Culp (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) had a team high 23 assists and had 8 digs. Hailey Hertzog (Phoenix, AZ/Chaparral High School) was just behind with 18 assists and had 7 digs. Taliyah Balladares (Santa Fe, NM/Santa Fe High School) led the team with 10 digs. Kayla Villarreal (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) and Kayla Judd (St. David, AZ/St. David HS) both had three block assists.

WNMU had 9 service aces throughout the match. The Mustangs put themselves in a hole with 33 attack errors. The Cowgirls helped out the Mustangs, having 16 service errors compared to the Mustangs five.

The Mustangs came out strong winning the first set 25-20. The Cowgirls were not phased, winning the next two sets 25-17 and 25-15. Despite two tough sets, the Mustangs battled in the fourth set, winning 25-23. The fifth was a nail-biter, but Highlands would come out on top 15-13.

New Mexico Highlands's Lisi Langi led the team with 14 kills. Stacy Johnson was in second with 14 and Keegan Lopez had 12 herself. Soleil Gandara had a great night dishing out the ball having 48 assists.

"We are looking forward to playing at home with the rowdy Mustang crowd, helping us win those critical few points per set," said Watts.

The Mustangs will come home for their first home games starting Thursday, Sept. 30th, against St. Mary's (TX) for a 6:00pm first serve. Saturday, October 2nd, the Mustangs will take on St. Edward's at 12:00pm.

This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!          

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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).